Stunning new Islamic Collections Wing at the Louvre

On September 22, 2012, The Louvre in Paris unveiled its new wing and galleries dedicated to the arts of Islam, marking the museum's greatest development since the iconic glass pyramid constructed twenty years ago. To house the new wing, architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti created a new glass structure with a unique undulating roof, sitting in the Louvre's Visconti courtyard. The contemporary wing, spanning over 30,000 square feet, thus does not detract from the museum's historical 17-century facades, but offers a new dimension to the famous museum. The new Department of Islamic Art will exhibit a large portion of The Louvre's collection of 18,000 works, showcasing some pieces to the public for the first time. This colleciton of art from the Islamic world spans from the 7th to the 19th century, including a particularly impressive collection of textile works such as fabrics, rugs and carpets. For more information: http://www.louvre.fr/