A modern-day Medici?

About the exhibition of nuggets from the Al Thani collection at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris.

"Bérénice Geofroy-Schneiter writes in Connaissance des arts about the exhibition at the Hôtel de la Marine of the treasures of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani. The Qatari sheikh has built up one of the most prestigious art collections of the 21st century, and of the 5,000 or so masterpieces it contains, 120 are displayed here in four galleries, spanning a period of 6,000 years and representing numerous civilisations. Masterpieces such as the head of an ancient Egyptian royal figure carved from red jasper (1475-1292 BC), the Chinese gilt-bronze sculpture of a seated bear from the Han dynasty that graces the front page of the magazine, a Mayan pendant (200-600 AD) or the jade cup of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (1569-1627), magnificently celebrate the unifying force of art across cultures. What they have in common, and what seems to guide Sheikh Hamad's art purchases, is their stunning preciousness. "Her Highness is particularly interested in rare materials such as hard stones and gems, although she also appreciates glass and woodwork. Technical virtuosity is also an essential quality. Finally, an exceptional pedigree is a significant asset in her eyes," acknowledges Amin Jaffer, chief curator of the Al Thani Collection. A veritable museum within a museum, the gallery devoted to Islamic art is a reminder of the extent to which this civilisation reached the heights of virtuosity. And even if the works of art are adorned with gold pendants in a resolutely contemporary scenography, the first thing that catches the eye throughout this exceptional journey is their absolute refinement.