83 Islamic Masterpieces from Doha Arrive in Seoul: A 1,300-Year Journey of Art
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
The National Museum of Korea opened a new Islamic art gallery on the 3rd floor of its World Culture Hall, displaying 83 works from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, from Nov 22, 2025 to Oct 11, 2026. The exhibition, “Islamic Art: A Radiant Journey,” spans the 7th–19th centuries and is organized into three themes: religious art, cultural openness and expansion, and court culture with manuscripts. Highlights include the largest Qur’an (Quran) manuscript produced in the Islamic world, Timurid-era Qur’an folios, Ottoman rectangular cloud-and-flower tiles, and Safavid court carpets and illuminated Shahnameh (Shahnameh) illustrations. Curators emphasize the exhibition’s focus on the diverse visual aesthetics and cultural exchanges across regions — from Arabia through Central Asia, Africa, and Europe — rather than a strict chronological display. A public lecture by Doha curator Dr. Munia Sheikhab Abudaya will be held on opening day. Organizers see the show as a milestone in cultural exchange between Korea and Qatar, connecting long historical trade and artistic routes.
