Medieval MoroccoAn Empire from Africa to Spain

Presentation

From the 11th to the 15th centuries, a succession of dynasties – Almoravid, Almohad, and Marinid – fashioned a political and civilizational space centered on Morocco and stretching to Andalusia. Their conquests took them from the southern edge of the Sahara (northern fringe of Mauritania) to the northern reaches of Algeria and Tunisia. This empire’s influence, unifying for the first time the western Islamic world, was felt as far as the Near East. Bringing together around 300 works, the exhibition will enable visitors to explore this long and complex history, both essential to understanding contemporary Morocco and the very source of its modernity.

This exhibition provides a new look at the period when the western Islamic world was at the height of its glory, as much in terms of its artistic production as its place in history. It includes many of the most beautiful examples of this period’s achievements in areas such architectural decoration, textiles, ivory, and calligraphy, and recognizes this powerful civilization’s position at the center of diplomatic and trade networks. “Medieval Morocco” takes visitors on a chronological journey through the Moroccan and Andalusian cultural landscape. For each historical period, special emphasis is given to this civilization’s centers of power and influential capitals, cities of splendor and enlightenment.

Organised by

Yannick Lintz, Director, Department of Islamic Art, Musée du Louvre, and Bahija Simou, Director, Royal Archives, Rabat, Morocco. Scientific curators: Claire Delery and Bulle Tuil-Leonetti, Musée du Louvre.

Scientific curators

Claire Delery  Bulle Tuil-Leonetti, musée du Louvre.

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“Medieval Morocco” is organized by the Musée du Louvre in association with the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco (FNM).

The Institut du Monde Arabe presents the exhibition “Contemporary Morocco.”

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