For the first time in Southeast Asia, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is bringing a landmark collection of Islamic art from the Musée du Louvre to Singapore. Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Mughal, Safavid, and Ottoman Art from the Musée du Louvre opens on 19 June 2026 and runs through 24 January 2027 — a rare chance to see 100 museum-quality masterpieces that have never been exhibited in this region before.
Three Empires, One Exhibition
The exhibition charts the artistic and cultural exchanges between three great Islamic empires — Mughal, Safavid and Ottoman — spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. These courts were not isolated; they traded goods, shared ideas and influenced one another’s aesthetics in ways that produced some of the most refined decorative arts in history.
The 100 objects on show — drawn from the Louvre’s renowned Department of Islamic Art — include elaborately crafted ewers, powder horns, tiled panels and manuscript illuminations that speak to this rich interconnectedness. It’s the first time the Louvre has lent its Islamic art collection to Southeast Asia.
Highlights from the Collection
Among the most striking pieces on show is a Mughal gold ewer encrusted with turquoise — a piece that exemplifies the opulence and craftsmanship of the Mughal court. Also not to be missed are the Safavid tile panels, including a vivid panel depicting a poetry contest, and an Ottoman powder horn decorated with intricate inlay work.
The Curators Behind the Show
The exhibition is co-curated by Dr Souraya Noujaim and Judith Henon-Raynaud from the Musée du Louvre, alongside Noorashikin Zulkifli from the ACM. Together, they have shaped a narrative that goes beyond showcasing individual objects — the aim is to illuminate how artistic ideas flowed across imperial borders and how craftsmen in different courts responded to and built upon each other’s traditions.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Mughal, Safavid, and Ottoman Art from the Musée du Louvre
- Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
- Dates: 19 June 2026 – 24 January 2027
For ticketing and more information, visit the ACM website.
