“Art is the mirror of history and a true reflection of the extent of the civilised development of society.”
I feel a special state of spiritual and intellectual transcendence. ” Her Highness Sheikha Dr. Shamma expressed her conviction in the value of the arts and their being a title for advanced people and civilizations. This statement came during Her Highness’ visit to the Gallery in the British capital, London, at the beginning of her meetings and her visit as part of Her Highness’s cultural and knowledge programme for knowledge and human communication.
The Courtauld Gallery is interested in the history of the arts through different ages and human civilizations, and many of the senior art historians in the British scientific community belong to it. The Museum: Edouard Manet, Vanessa Bell, and Lucas Cranach (Painting of Adam and Eve), as well as the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir, the Dutch artist Van Gogh, and many other artists.
Her Highness and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by Professor Deborah Salo, Director of the College; Dr. Karen Sears; Mrs. Francesca Hoyt and Mrs. Camilla Knight, where Her Highness and the accompanying delegation accompanied Professor Debrois on a tour between the various pavilions of the museum and the exhibition.
Her Highness held a meeting with the director of the gallery and the work team, where she thanked and appreciated them for their good reception. During the meeting, ways of cooperation between Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan’s cultural and educational institutions and between the Courtauld institutes were discussed, and experiences were exchanged in the field of presenting. There were lectures and technical workshops between the Emirati technical cadres and the technical cadres of the college, and Her Highness announced during the meeting the launching of the (Emirati Miniatures) initiative, which will be launched next October. It is an initiative dedicated to Emirati artists, using palm fronds as a basis for drawing accurate artistic miniatures that express the Emirati and human heritage. Her Highness invited them to attend the exhibition of the artworks participating in the initiative. Professor Deborah was very impressed with the idea of the initiative, especially the use of date palms, as they represent a heritage value in desert communities.
At the end of the meeting, Her Highness gifted the college a set of publications that talk about art in the United Arab Emirates, as part of the (Knowledge for Humanity) initiative launched by Her Highness last year, which aims to make the world know the Emirati civilization and its ancient folk heritage by donating museums and universities. To be among its holdings, with knowledge sources of books and technological means that define the UAE between the past, present, and future.