Art treasures from Louvre to go on display at Hong Kong Heritage Museum (with photos)

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     "Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years", the main exhibition presented by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum this year, will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 26). The exhibition illustrates the diversity and richness of the collections at the world-renowned Louvre Museum in France, enabling visitors to appreciate art treasures from different periods and to explore the rich history of the Louvre.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (April 25), the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "2017 is a special year because it marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the 25th edition of Le French May in Hong Kong. Under the theme 'Together ． Progress ． Opportunity', the Government of the HKSAR is organising a wide range of celebration events including blockbuster exhibitions on art, history and science, as well as cityscape enhancement projects. The 'Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years' exhibition is surely one of the celebration highlights.

     "On display in the exhibition is a fine selection of paintings, drawings, artworks and crafts as well as sculptures from the Louvre collections. Among them are treasures from the royal collections of the kings of France and artwork from donors over the centuries. They are diverse in theme, subject matter, artistic style and characteristics of different periods. This exhibition not only offers art connoisseurs the opportunity to have a closer view of some of the most famous works of art and artefacts in the world, but also provides the community of Hong Kong with an inspirational journey through the history of a major museum and its affinity with world civilisations."

     From its origins as a thick-walled fortress that became a royal palace, the Louvre has been transformed into an internationally renowned museum over the past 800 years. The exhibition covers more than 130 masterworks from all the Louvre's departments including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, tapestries and other items, to portray the history and development of the Louvre.

     The exhibition's education zone will be transformed to represent the treasure room of the first Director of the Louvre, Mr Vivant Denon. Visitors will be able to see a wide range of exhibits and can learn of their wonderful stories through interactive programmes and screenings.

     The museum will also launch a series of educational activities, introducing audiences to the milestones of the Louvre and its collections in an interesting and innovative way. The programme series will include dramatised and guided tours, talks and workshops.

     Other officiating guests attending the ceremony were the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Eric Berti; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Le French May, Dr Andrew Yuen; the Head of the Paintings Department and Curator in Chief of the Musée du Louvre, Mr Sébastien Allard; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Simon Ip; and the Head of Greater China and Chief Executive Officer Hong Kong of BNP Paribas, Mr Paul Yang.

     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Le French May, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Louvre Museum, with major support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and major sponsorship from BNP Paribas. The exhibition is also supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.

     The exhibition will run until July 24. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition and related programmes, please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid246.html or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.

Ends/Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:22

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The opening ceremony for the "Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years" exhibition was held today (April 25) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Picture shows the marble sculpture "Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695), Writer" by Pierre Julien. Collection of the Department of Sculptures, Louvre Museum.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, speaks at the opening ceremony for the "Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years" exhibition this evening (April 25) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, attended the opening ceremony for the "Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years" exhibition this evening (April 25) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Photo shows Mr Cheung (sixth right); the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui (fourth right); the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li (second right); the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Eric Berti (centre); the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Le French May, Dr Andrew Yuen (fifth right); the Chief Executive Officer of Le French May, Mr Julien-Loic Garin (third left); the Head of the Paintings Department and Curator in Chief of the Musée du Louvre, Mr Sébastien Allard (sixth left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Simon Ip (third right), and other guests proposing a toast.