Roads of Arabia - The Louvre

Text : Brendan Seibel

Antiquities from a forgotten land are finally seeing the light of day. Roads of Arabia, a special exhibition hosted by The Louvre, represents the greatest collection of ancient artifacts ever displayed outside Saudi Arabia. Endeavoring to shed light on ten centuries of history, encompassing civilizations spread throughout the harsh deserts of today's Middle East, this showcase provides some fascinating insights but suffers from its own overwhelming scope.

The history of Arabian development is trade routes and commerce. Instead of pursuing a dogged chronological course the curators cleverly arrange their wares around the oases which allowed growth. What is revealed is that the perceived monoculture of contemporary Saudi Arabia grows from many roots. Situated between the Mediterranean and Red Seas and the Indian Ocean the region served as a melting pot of once great powers: Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Indus, Persians.

Through the passage of incense traders and merchant caravans we see how the refinements of pottery and sculpture spread, mixing and influencing one another. Regional distinctions seem more defined by materials than schools of art, rough-hewn pitchers and gourds more a consequence of heavy clay than a lack of sophistication. As centuries pass so do the limitations. The disparate techniques meld into common ground, a mixture of east and west. By the advent of Roman domination artifacts had already taken on the metals and themes of Europe. Everything presented is in remarkable condition. The earliest examples of pottery express a rich palette and firm lines. Excavated pillars, decanters and temple pieces retain their intricate etchings. As much of the region's history remain entombed in archaeological sites the exhibition uses photographs to display that which could not be transported.

It is interesting to note the symbolic differences separating Arabian and other ancient civilizations. The craftsmanship can be breathtaking. However the strength of Roads of Arabia is arranging these artifacts within a historical context and here the curation stumbles. Each sub-section includes introductory text in French, English and Arabic. Hopping back and forth between locations and confounding maps negates the intended effect of bringing distant lands together.

More distressing is that a gulf appears from after the arrival of Roman armies to the rise of Islam. The exhibition's second act attempts to retrace the steps of trade routes through Muslim pilgrimages, but little is revealed by way of antiquities that have become to seem as generic as roadside trinkets. One unintended consequence is to show how little styles of cultural ephemera changed after the time of Muhammad. The most striking contributions from the Ottoman Empire come across as a tease of what would be its own amazing show.

The diversion into Arabic script as illustrated by a showcasing of tombstones ultimately defines what is wrong with Roads of Arabia. One needs maps, one needs books, one needs a multimedia approach to this overarching examination. What we are given is a collection of artful postcards projected on spare walls that dress us in pith helmets and khaki shorts, playing the sunburned and heat-stricken tourists surrounded by things we don't understand. Still, it's impossible to pass up an opportunity to see all that's been left behind from a time and place which remains so mysterious.

Roads of Arabia

Until September 27th

Napoleon Hall

Sunday to Monday 9:00-18:00; Until 20:00 on Wednesday and Friday

11€; 14€ with general collection

The Louvre

Mº Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre/Louvre-Rivoli