National Museum Will Host Louvre Islamic Art Exhibit
The Smithsonian exhibition will feature 26 objects loaned from the Louvre beginning September 26, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Fine Art
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The National Museum of Asian Art in Washington will open a major collaborative exhibition featuring 26 Islamic art objects from the Louvre on September 26, 2026. The display includes two rare Jahangir-era jewelled pen cases acquired by Louis Cartier in 1912.
Why it matters
The exhibition brings together significant historical artifacts, including paintings, metalwork, and ceramics, to highlight the artistic exchange between major global collections. It marks a notable partnership between the Smithsonian and the Musée du Louvre.
The collection features 26 total artworks ranging from the 7th to 19th centuries, including paintings, metalwork, jade, ceramics, glass, and architectural elements. The two jewelled ivory pen cases were commissioned by Jahangir.
The players
National Museum of Asian Art
This Smithsonian institution in Washington focuses on the preservation and study of Asian art and culture.
Musée du Louvre
Located in Paris, this is one of the world's largest and most visited art museums.
Louis Cartier
He was a prominent French jeweler and the grandson of the founder of the luxury goods company Cartier.
Souraya Noujaim
She is a museum curator who co-organized this collaborative exhibition between the two institutions.
Simon Rettig
He is a curator who worked alongside Noujaim to assemble the items for this exhibition.
The details
Co-curated by Souraya Noujaim and Simon Rettig, the exhibition displays pieces that provide a broad survey of Islamic artistic production. The pen cases on display specifically feature the names of Shah Abbas I and his grand vizier.
Timeline
Louis Cartier acquired the jewelled pen cases in 1912.
The exhibition opens at the Smithsonian on September 26, 2026.
The display concludes at the museum on January 18, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This collaborative exhibition reflects a broader trend of major global museums using inter-institutional loans to expand the reach of their Islamic art departments. Such partnerships allow institutions to present a more comprehensive historical narrative than their permanent collections permit alone.
The public can view these rare items, including the Cartier-acquired pen cases, at the museum in Washington beginning in late September. Ticket availability and museum hours will govern access to the exhibit through its closing in January 2027.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights how private acquisitions, like those of Louis Cartier, eventually become part of the shared public history of Islamic art. Visitors can use this exhibit to understand the intricate craftsmanship commissioned by rulers like Jahangir.
Further reading
Discover more about current exhibitions at the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News18.
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