The Louvre Museum in Paris will debut a new section dedicated to Byzantine Arts and Eastern Christianity in 2027, marking a major addition to its world-renowned collection.
Spanning 2,000 square metres, the new department will feature 1,000 exhibits from the museum's collection of 20,000 Byzantine-era artifacts. This new wing, the museum’s ninth, will cover a vast historical and geographical range—from the 3rd century to 1923, and from Ethiopia to Russia, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
Louvre President Laurence de Carr announced the initiative at an informal press event in Athens, emphasising the political and cultural significance of focusing on Byzantine heritage. "It is a political choice," she noted, referencing the museum’s broader mission to highlight underrepresented cultures. The new wing will aim to bring attention to the complexities of Byzantine culture, which has often been overlooked in global museology.
The project, designed by WHY Architecture, is expected to foster closer cooperation between the Louvre and Greek authorities, with potential partnerships in exhibitions, staff exchanges, and conservation efforts. Maximilian Durand, Director of the Byzantine Arts and Oriental Christianity department, highlighted the relevance of the new section amid global political shifts, including the war in Ukraine and ongoing tensions in Armenia and the Middle East.
The new wing will be located in the heart of the Louvre, connecting to sections on ancient Greece, Roman art, Islamic art, and the Renaissance. It will spotlight the diversity of Byzantine art, focusing on the icon and the blending of Eastern and Western influences. The initiative also ensures that all exhibits have been legally acquired.
French Ambassador to Greece, Laurence Auer, underscored the importance of Greece's involvement, expressing confidence in future cultural exchanges between France and Greece, particularly following the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution in 2021.