The National Museum of Korea is set to open its first permanent gallery dedicated to Islamic art, marking an important milestone in promoting global cultural heritage. The new Islamic Art Gallery, located on the third floor of the museum’s Permanent Exhibition Hall, will debut with a joint exhibition from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, titled “Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor.” Scheduled to run for 11 months, the exhibition will showcase 83 artifacts from Doha, spanning the 7th to 19th centuries.
The gallery is organized into three main sections: religious art, cultural exchange, and Islamic courtly art and manuscripts. Visitors can explore Quran manuscripts, mosque lamps, prayer carpets, astrolabes, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry, alongside media art recreations of historical spaces such as the “Reception Room of a Nobleman in Damascus.” Designed with an octagonal layout and a domed roof, the gallery creates an immersive environment that reflects the elegance and sophistication of Islamic art.
By presenting centuries of Islamic artistic achievements, the gallery aims to foster greater cultural understanding and appreciation, highlighting the richness of Islamic civilization and its influence on global art and culture.
