Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Resource Centre collects materials for the documentation, study and preservation of the museum’s permanent collection, and supports the museum’s research activities and programmes. Through the development of a specialised library, electronic resources and an artwork database, the Resource Centre focuses on the encounters, transfers and circulation of art as well as on the history of collections and collecting.

The Centre is open by appointment, please send your request to library@louvreabudhabi.ae. 

Entry is free of charge and included in the museum’s admission ticket, or through a complimentary Resource Centre ticket to be collected at the ticketing desk.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Research Laboratory carries out scientific analyses to provide information on the materiality of artworks, contributing to research in both art history and art conservation.

The knowledge of the materials used to make these artefacts and of the manufacturing technologies employed support curatorial research on artistic production during specific time and place, on commercial trades of the materials used, on interactions and influences between cultures, etc. Scientific analysis can also help determine the mechanisms and causes of deterioration of artworks. Results of such research allow, in close collaboration with conservators, to develop new conservation treatments or to improve the artworks environment for the long-term preservation of the museum’s collection.

 A range of analytical techniques are available in the laboratory to carry out elemental and molecular analysis of inorganic and organic artwork materials, from the macro-scale to the nanoscale. Techniques include optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Gas chromatography –mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) will soon complete the range of techniques available.

The laboratory has also a fully equipped studio to carry out scientific photography. A radiography and computed tomography (CT) facility will soon complete the imaging capabilities of the laboratory.

Finally, the laboratory is equipped with a climate chamber to carry out accelerated aging experiments for conservation-related research and a material library to store the art materials reference collection as well as artwork samples.

In line with its mission, exhibition, education, and communication goals, outgoing loans make it possible for Louvre Abu Dhabi to share its collections with the widest possible audience and fosters national and international relationships with other museums and lending institutions.

Requesting a loan

Send a written request on letterhead to the attention of Manuel Rabaté, Director at CMTeam@Louvreabudhabi.ae

The formal letter should include detailed information about the purpose of the loan. Such as:

• Name and contact information of the borrower.

• Purpose of loan, including compelling reasons why the loan of objects is necessary.

• Name, dates and description of the exhibition.

• Name and inventory number of requested objects.

• Duration of the loan.

• Details of specific venues and borrower’s facility report of the building hosting the objects.

Loan request must be received at least eight (8) months in advance of the exhibition opening date.

Loan review

Following submission of a loan request, LAD may request additional information for review.

It is then assessed by the Loan Committee and submitted to Department of Culture & Tourism Chairman for final approval.

Borrowers can expect a reply to their request within 3 months of receipt.

Expenses

The borrower shall bear all expenses of the loan, which may include:

• Packing / crating

• Shipping 

• Courier travel 

• Framing, mounts

• Insurance

• Rights and reproductions