The National Museum of Korea is making history by opening its first-ever gallery exclusively dedicated to Islamic art, representing a significant milestone in the institution's efforts to expand its global cultural offerings. The new Islamic Art Gallery, strategically located on the third floor of the museum's Permanent Exhibition Hall, officially opens to the public on Friday, marking a groundbreaking moment for cultural exchange in South Korea.
To celebrate this historic launch, the museum has partnered with the prestigious Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, for a spectacular inaugural exhibition titled "Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor." This ambitious collaboration will run for an impressive 11 months and showcases 83 carefully selected artifacts on loan from the Qatari institution, providing Korean audiences with an unprecedented opportunity to experience the rich artistic heritage of Islamic culture.
The initiative builds upon the National Museum's successful World Arts Gallery program, which has been designed to showcase diverse cultural heritages from around the globe. While the museum has previously hosted numerous exhibitions featuring works from major international museums, this marks the first time Islamic culture has been given a permanent exhibition space within the institution.
Museum Director You Hong-june emphasized the collaborative approach during a media preview held on Thursday, explaining the institution's strategic vision. "Since it is difficult for us to build a global collection of great works, we have sought ways to introduce Islamic art to local and international visitors through cooperation with leading institutions," You stated. He described Islamic culture as "a world of fantastic artistry," highlighting how the complex geometric and calligraphic patterns reflect a sophisticated and modern sensibility that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, provided additional context for this meaningful partnership. She noted that despite the geographical distance between Korea and Qatar, the two nations have long been connected through historical trade routes that stretched from the Mediterranean to the Pacific. Al-Nassr expressed her hope that this exhibition would serve to deepen cultural ties between the two countries while simultaneously highlighting the global legacy and universal appeal of Islamic artistic traditions.
The comprehensive exhibition takes visitors on an extraordinary journey through more than a millennium of Islamic artistic achievement, spanning from the 7th to the 19th centuries. The display is thoughtfully organized into three distinct thematic sections: religious art, cultural exchange and expansion, and Islamic courtly art and manuscripts, each offering unique insights into different aspects of Islamic civilization.
The first section focuses intensively on religious art, which is widely considered the essence of Islamic artistic tradition. This area features an impressive collection of Quran manuscripts that range from early parchment copies to magnificent large-scale texts from the powerful Timurid Empire. The exhibition space itself has been architecturally designed with a distinctive domed roof and an octagonal layout specifically intended to immerse visitors in an experience that mimics entering an actual mosque. Visitors can examine a mihrab stone panel, traditional mosque lamps, and prayer carpets decorated with intricate arabesque and geometric patterns, alongside beautiful examples of Islamic calligraphy. The display also includes significant architectural elements such as ornate wooden doors and decorative tiles that showcase the craftsmanship of Islamic artisans.
The second section traces the fascinating development of Islamic culture as it expanded from its origins in the Arabian Peninsula to become a dynamic, cross-regional art form that incorporated influences from many different traditions. This area showcases remarkable artifacts including an astrolabe (an sophisticated astronomical observation instrument), along with various glass, ceramic, and metal crafts that reflect the assimilation and synthesis of diverse artistic traditions encountered during Islamic expansion.
The final section explores the artistic and scholarly pursuits that flourished within the courts of various Islamic empires throughout history. This area highlights exquisite carpets, luxurious textiles, precious jewelry, and illuminated manuscripts that represent the pinnacle of Islamic courtly culture. These manuscripts, created under royal patronage, are regarded not merely as records of knowledge but as comprehensive cultural heritage that seamlessly blends religion, literature, history, and science into unified artistic expressions.
A major highlight of the gallery is an innovative media art recreation of the "Reception Room of a Nobleman in Damascus," which serves as a signature space inspired by the Doha Museum of Islamic Art. This immersive installation has been designed to realistically convey the ambience and atmosphere of the golden age of Islamic culture, allowing visitors to experience the historical period in a more tangible way. Guests can quietly conclude their journey through the exhibition in this contemplative space, relaxing on traditional-style seating while appreciating light filtered through authentic Islamic lattice window patterns.
The joint exhibition "Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor" is scheduled to run until October 11, 2026, providing visitors with ample opportunity to explore this remarkable collection and gain deeper appreciation for the artistic achievements of Islamic civilization throughout the centuries.
