Louvre art to be exhibited in Tokyo & Kyoto in 2009

Sunday, 31 August 2008 01:08

PARIS - A special exhibition featuring 17th century paintings from the Louvre is to be held at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, Tokyo, and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, from February to September next year. NTV Executive Chairman and Representative Director Seiichiro Ujiie and Louvre Museum Director Henri Loyrette signed an agreement Wednesday. The exhibition will be the largest exhibition of Louvre-held 17th-century art ever displayed in Japan.

The special exhibition--sponsored in part by The Yomiuri Shimbun--is to be organized as part a series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Museum of Western Art and the 55th anniversary of NTV.

About 70 paintings from the Louvre Museum's collection of 17th-century art will be featured at the planned exhibition. The 17th century is considered the golden age of European art. Displayed works will include Vermeer's "The Lacemaker;" a self-portrait by Rembrandt; "The Finding of Moses" by Nicolas Poussin; and "Ixion, King of Lapiths, Deceived by Juno" by Rubens.

The exhibition, titled "The Louvre Museum Exhibition : 17th Century European Masterpieces," will be held at the National Museum of Western Art from Feb. 28 to June 14 and at the Kyoto Municipal Museum from June 30 to Sept. 27.