Mamluk in the Louvre Museum
- Ben Slimane
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Immerse yourself in the heart of the golden age of Islamic art: My visit to the Mamluk exhibition at the Louvre
On April 30, 2025, the Louvre Museum opened an exceptional exhibition entitled "The Mamluks 1250-1517," dedicated to one of the most fascinating dynasties in the medieval Islamic world. During my visit, I was able to experience a rare immersion in this Egyptian-Syrian empire, through 260 works from prestigious international collections.
An empire forged by slave soldiers
The Mamluk Sultanate arose in 1250 in Cairo, when an elite group of Turkish and later Caucasian slave soldiers, who converted to Islam and trained in Ayyubid barracks, came to power. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, these Mamluks (which means "the possessed" in Arabic) formed a hierarchical military caste that succeeded in establishing one of the most powerful Islamic states of its era.
Their rule continued until 1517, when the Ottomans annexed their lands.
Builders of a dazzling art world
From the entrance, the exhibition highlights the magnificence of Mamluk patronage. The funerary complex of Sultan Qalawun (1279-1290), an architectural masterpiece of medieval Cairo, has been reconstructed through an immersive device. I was particularly impressed by the richness of the decoration: polychrome marble, carved stucco, and precious mosaics.
The Mamluks invested huge sums in building schools, shrines, and hospitals to consolidate their political legitimacy.
Chivalry Culture: Between Chivalry and Religion
A highlight of my visit was the section dedicated to equestrianism, the art of horsemanship among Muslims. The helmet of Sultan Barsbay (reigned 1422–1438), with its damask gold inscriptions, symbolizes the culture of chivalry and warriorry that shaped the Mamluk identity.
This culture was an integral part of the defense of Sunni Islam: sultans built magnificent mosques and claimed to be protectors of the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The exhibition includes, for example, the key to the Kaaba in the name of Sultan Faraj (reigned 1399–1412).
A mosaic of populations and exchanges
Mamluk society was a mosaic: Arabs, Turks, Circassians, Copts, Jews, and other communities coexisted. Among other things, I discovered two magnificent carved panels from the Coptic Hanging Church in Cairo, testifying to the artistic exchange between Muslim and Christian craftsmen.
Commercial and cultural exchanges are present everywhere: ceramics from China, fabrics from Granada, and Mongolian cups illustrate the importance of the Sultanate as a crossroads between East and West.
The pinnacle of arts in the Mamluk era
Mamluk art reached its peak in enameled and gilded glass, and calligraphy.
Conferences: A Journey into a Forgotten World
When I left the exhibition, I felt as if I had entered a world of extreme wealth, where war, art, religion, and trade intertwine in a dazzling mosaic. This visit to the Louvre is a reminder of how history has influenced
Expanding Discovery: My Lectures on Islamic Art
To expand this immersion into the high world of the Mamluks, I am pleased to organize
Program:
First Conference : Origins and diversity of Arts of Islam
The second conference : Golden age of Arts of Islam in Egypt and In Syria
The Third Conference : Mamlouks Arts show in the Louvre
Conference: Conference duration:
45 minutes + 15 minutes for discussion
Prices:
1 conf. €9 / 3 participants. Under 24
Meeting: From Psaumes Cafe and via Zoom + Recording and Replay
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