DSF brings in the world's best ever masterpieces to Dubai

They are the artistes who have changed perceptions, whose singular vision and insights into the human psyche have redefined the art form over many a century. Gainsborough, Vincent Van Gogh, Renoir, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Picasso, Franz Klein, Salavador Dali, Matisse, Camille Pissaro, Stubbs, Andy Warhol ... artistes whose originality have brushed many a change in the art scenario, and influenced generations of painters.

Also, on show will be objets de arts so rare as 'The Great Baroda Carpet' - a national treasure which will be exhibited in public for the first time ever from the private collection of HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Together with Tiffany windows, Priess sculptures, Picasso sculpture, The Thinker - from Rodin from the Rockefeller collection the decorative art segment will be of great significance. The exhibition, with the total value of the exhibits totalling US$300 million, is sponsored by Emirates airline, one of the DSF key sponsors.

The Dubai Shopping Festival has always been that one unique platform for propagating dreams, of bringing forth visions like few else, and during DSF 2006, visitors get a chance to view the work of the masters. For the first time ever in the world, the original works of over 40 painters from varied annals of time come together on an independent platform at an art exhibition organised under the patronage of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, an accomplished artist in her own right, and President of Dubai Ladies Club.

Says Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, "We draw many facets of our society from the creativity of both our forefathers and our contemporary artists - our architecture and our entertainment. Art is critical to the development of culture. The intent of The Masters Exhibition is to foster individual and collective efforts to promote and expand art appreciation throughout our country and continue the tradition of being the pace setter in the contemporary world."

Adds Sheikha Manal, "The Masters Exhibition is a rare opportunity for all art connoisseurs and enthusiasts. This exhibition brings together for the first time a selection of works from museums, galleries and private collections from across the world. It is with the greatest pleasure that I, as Patron, welcome this initiative to host 'The Masters Exhibition' in Dubai."

Says HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation, and Chairman of the Emirates Group, "We are pleased to support this exhibition which will bring to Dubai the works of famous artists from all over the world," he says adding, "We can see a nice mix of East and West here in Dubai which is the right place to have the exhibition of this calibre and we trust that this event will be welcomed by everyone weather they are residents or visitors as well as by all art lovers."

The Masters - An Art Exhibition will display the art of famous artistes like Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, Eugene, Boudin, Ganisborough, Francis Picabia, Franz Kline, Henri Lebasque, Adolf Schreyer, Willem Van de Velde, William Adolphe Bouguereau, Jan Brueghel the younger, Moise Kisiling, Bonheur, Brueghel the younger, Mackenzie, Odilon Redon, Meindert Hobbema, Richards, Van Ostade, Stubbs, Michele, Marieschi, Guardi, A.D. Schreyer, Edwin Lord Weeks, William Trost Richards, Rosa Bonheur, Pablo Picasso, Rodin, Frederic Remington, Jeanne Gerome, Ferdinand Preiss, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Millet, Pietro Calvi as also a Rare Holy Quran and Tiffany windows.

The collection is a truly sensational event for the region, an event that will offer insights into the master artistes' interpretations of history, of cultural traditions and change in the region.

Many of these works will be open to the public for the first time ever at the event running from January 4 to 14, 2006 at the Dubai World Trade Centre Hall No 2 from 10am onwards. The event's main objective is to provide residents and visitors a rare opportunity to witness world famous art in the emirate and also to buy them. These pieces, culled from private collections from the world over, will showcase art as an investment opportunity.

Each of the pieces that will be available during the DSF have been run through strict authentication tests and come with a provenance, a universally recognised label that allows the painting's legacy to be traced. Further, curators and art specialists will be on hand to give first-hand information on the paintings, and their thought process behind their structure.

The Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 runs between January 4 and February 4, 2006. For further information visit DSF website or call Ahlan Dubai on 600545555.