Some of the world's most famous sculptures and paintings will soon be making a trip across the Atlantic. Michael Shapiro '71, director of the High Museum in Atlanta, has forged a partnership with the Louvre that will bring entire collections from the renowned Paris museum to the High for three years starting in October.
The Louvre in Atlanta project marks the first time in the Louvre's 212-year history that the museum has agreed to share entire collections with another museum for an extended period. Most of the works have never traveled to the United States and will represent such artists as Raphael, Rembrandt, Poussin and Velasquez.
The cultural exchange between the High Museum and the Louvre grew out of a long-standing friendship between Shapiro and Louvre president/director Henri Loyrette. "The High Museum brings a level of national stature and experience to this partnership that will benefit the Louvre. We have much to learn from one another and look forward to a mutually beneficial exchange of art and ideas," Loyrette said.
In addition to exhibitions, "Louvre Atlanta" will include joint development of educational programs, publications, symposia and films. The first educational exchange occurred in January when a group of Atlanta high school students visited the Louvre and lived with French families. French students will visit Atlanta this fall to learn about the High's collection.
In recognition of the partnership, French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu do Vabres visited the High Museum in November and awarded Shapiro one of his country's top cultural honors -- a knighthood in the order of Arts and Letters.
