This formal press release from India shows that Henri Loyrette, head of the Louvre, is touring the country and recently met with the founders of the Indian Art Fair:

During his stay, Mr Loyrette met Kumari Selja, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, and collectors and gallerists in Delhi and Mumbai. He also visited the National Gallery of Modern Art in both cities as well as the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai.  In the last leg of his visit, he will meet Dr Karan Singh, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and President of the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations).

Speaking on his India visit, Mr Henri Loyrette, President of the Louvre, said, “The notion of opening up is not new at the Louvre: it has been written in this museum’s genes since it opened in 1793. And, to update and revitalize this bicentennial mandate, the Louvre has to step beyond its walls and open up to the outside world, to countries like India that I am very happy to discover.”

India Art Fair (formerly India Art Summit), the country’s premier platform for modern and contemporary art, will host a soirée in honour of the Louvre delegation on 3 December. Over the last 3 years, the art fair has seen increasing participation from leading French galleries, artists and institutions. Neha Kirpal, Founding Director of India Art Fair, believes that the Louvre’s ongoing engagement with India will be valuable in developing and internationalizing the India art scene and that building sustainable dialogues with such institutions is an integral part of the India Art Fair’s mission.

Henri Loyrette President of Louvre is in India (India Education Diary)