Rising from the waters of Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the most compelling museums in the world. Designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, its vast dome creates the celebrated “rain of light” effect, where sunlight filters through a lattice of geometric patterns, casting shifting shadows over courtyards, pools, and walkways. The museum spans approximately 24,000 square metres, with around 8,000 square metres dedicated to gallery space for both its permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Inside, the experience is as much about storytelling as it is about individual works of art. Around 600 pieces are displayed across thematic and chronological chapters that trace the arc of human creativity from prehistory to the present, highlighting the ways cultures have connected and influenced each other. The complex itself is made up of 55 buildings, including 23 galleries inspired by traditional low rise forms, where light and water blur the boundary between structure and landscape. This autumn the museum is presenting Art Here 2025 and the Richard Mille Art Prize, running from 11 October through 28 December. Curated by Sophie Mayuko Arni, the exhibition explores the theme of “Shadows” through works by artists from the GCC, Japan, and the wider MENA region, culminating in the awarding of the Richard Mille Art Prize in December.
