New Delhi, An ongoing art exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi sheds light on the mysterious world of animal stories embedded in historical manuscripts, including the ancient Indian collection "Panchatantra".
Showcasing more than 130 artefacts ranging from centuries-old manuscripts to contemporary works, the exhibition, “Journey through Fables from Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine”, traces the origins of the genre in India and Greece.
It comprises a diverse collection of rare manuscripts, paintings, contemporary works – unveiling timeless tales of friendship, loyalty cunning and morality, as portrayed through anthropomorphic animal characters.
“At the Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are not just presenting art; we are weaving the narrative as a universal museum, moving through storytelling.
Manuel Rabatey, director of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, said in a statement, "The fables transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, inspiring new creations in both East and West, perfectly in line with your mission – humanity. sheds light on shared stories.,
Fables are a genre of literature that usually involve short stories about animals or inanimate objects that have human-like qualities.
The exhibition, divided into three sections – 'Travelling Tales', 'Talin' Stories' and 'The Fables Today', takes visitors on a journey through the texts across time through their various adaptations and translations.
A number of major works from France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be on display throughout.
Some of the fables in the show are taken from the "Panchatantra" and are faithful to the original versions, such as "The Tortoise and the Two Ducks", a story illustrated in 7th and 8th century Indian and Indonesian figures.
During the 8th century, this collection, rich with new fables, was translated from Pahlavi into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffa and titled Kalila wa Dimna.The prose writer was at the origin of the spread of fables in both East and West. His edition was the basis for metrical texts in Arabic and translations into Hebrew, Greek, and Old Spanish.
Other notable attractions of the exhibition include one of the oldest illustrated manuscripts of Ibn al-Muqaffa's 'Kalilah wa Dimna', which dates back to the Ayyubid dynasty (1171-1250 CE); "The Two Adventurers and the Wondrous Wret" B. Jean-Baptiste Audrey, draftsman Bonaventure Louis Prévost and "Portrait of Gia de La Fontaine" Emile Bayard, draftsman L. By Wolfe (engraver).
"Eastern and Western traditions, rooted in a shared universal heritage, have developed independently without direct contact, each charting its own course. I only became aware through the works of the eminent fabulist Jean de La Fontaine that these The traditions have finally united and showcased a unique collection at the Louvre Abu Dhabi,” curator Anne Verney-Nouri said in a statement.In addition to the exhibition, visitors can also immerse themselves in the world of fables with insightful curatorial talks, as well as a series of carefully curated film screenings that explore themes of morality, wisdom and the power of storytelling.
The show will close on July 21.
Showcasing more than 130 artefacts ranging from centuries-old manuscripts to contemporary works, the exhibition, “Journey through Fables from Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine”, traces the origins of the genre in India and Greece.
It comprises a diverse collection of rare manuscripts, paintings, contemporary works – unveiling timeless tales of friendship, loyalty cunning and morality, as portrayed through anthropomorphic animal characters.
“At the Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are not just presenting art; we are weaving the narrative as a universal museum, moving through storytelling.
Manuel Rabatey, director of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, said in a statement, "The fables transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, inspiring new creations in both East and West, perfectly in line with your mission – humanity. sheds light on shared stories.,
Fables are a genre of literature that usually involve short stories about animals or inanimate objects that have human-like qualities.
The exhibition, divided into three sections – 'Travelling Tales', 'Talin' Stories' and 'The Fables Today', takes visitors on a journey through the texts across time through their various adaptations and translations.
A number of major works from France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be on display throughout.
Some of the fables in the show are taken from the "Panchatantra" and are faithful to the original versions, such as "The Tortoise and the Two Ducks", a story illustrated in 7th and 8th century Indian and Indonesian figures.
During the 8th century, this collection, rich with new fables, was translated from Pahlavi into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffa and titled Kalila wa Dimna.The prose writer was at the origin of the spread of fables in both East and West. His edition was the basis for metrical texts in Arabic and translations into Hebrew, Greek, and Old Spanish.
Other notable attractions of the exhibition include one of the oldest illustrated manuscripts of Ibn al-Muqaffa's 'Kalilah wa Dimna', which dates back to the Ayyubid dynasty (1171-1250 CE); "The Two Adventurers and the Wondrous Wret" B. Jean-Baptiste Audrey, draftsman Bonaventure Louis Prévost and "Portrait of Gia de La Fontaine" Emile Bayard, draftsman L. By Wolfe (engraver).
"Eastern and Western traditions, rooted in a shared universal heritage, have developed independently without direct contact, each charting its own course. I only became aware through the works of the eminent fabulist Jean de La Fontaine that these The traditions have finally united and showcased a unique collection at the Louvre Abu Dhabi,” curator Anne Verney-Nouri said in a statement.In addition to the exhibition, visitors can also immerse themselves in the world of fables with insightful curatorial talks, as well as a series of carefully curated film screenings that explore themes of morality, wisdom and the power of storytelling.
The show will close on July 21.
