The famous Louvre Museum in Paris is presenting for the first time, between 21st of February - 21st of May 2007 a fabulous exhibition of Armenian Christian art, with works ranging from the christening of Armenia, at the beginning of the fourth century to the end of the 19th century. This event is organised to mark the Year of Armenia in France.
Born on the edge of Rome, at the foot of Mountain Ararat, where according to ancient myths the Noah's Ark stranded, Armenian Christian art grew and developped under the mixed pressure of Byzance and Islam, then gained new meaning during the Crusades, only to reinvent and rediscover itself during the centuries. The organizers have chosen about 200 works, in order to present the unique beauty and richness of this little known part of Christian art. Among the pieces are also more than 30 Caucasian khatchkars, impressive stone slabs, which were sculpted with crosses and put in vertical position. These monumental symbols of the Armenians Christian faith are without equal in the world.
The exhibition is organised with the help of the History Museum of Armenia and the Matenadaran Library in Erevan.
February 2007
