This thesis examines the development of the Louvre in Paris and the opening of its new branches in different cultural contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which symbolises the universality and global shift of art towards the Middle East. The thesis explores museological theory, which serves as a basis for answering what a museum is. It further explains the evolution of the Louvre in Paris from a royal palace to a world-renowned museum and its far-reaching impact. It also analyses expansion efforts such as the branch in Lens and the impact of the museum's location on the composition of its exhibitions. It describes the cultural circumstances in the United Arab Emirates that have given rise to a unique example of spectacular architecture. In the final part, the thesis explores the concept of the universal museum and how the Arab Museum's thematic layout of the collection combats the historically established canon of display.
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