The exhibition reveals Baghdad’s outstanding heritage as the capital of the great Abbasid caliphs (750-1258 CE), but also of the 20th century when the city once again experienced a renewed period of prosperity with the discovery of oil.
The display takes the visitor on an imaginary tour across centuries, highlighting Baghdad’s role as a city of power, scholarship, and riches.
It also explores the industry and commerce of Baghdad during the Abbasid rule, and the development of the modern industry in the 20th century.
The journey ends with a look at the city’s social fabric, its cosmopolitan population and many traditions, which have – despite war and destruction – enabled the city to thrive, time and time again.
The exhibition features objects on loan from 22 world-renowned institutions, including the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Benaki Museum, the Vatican and the Barjeel Foundation. These include artefacts, photographs and video footage.
Taking place in the newly renovated Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Baghdad: Eye’s Delight is one of several programmes scheduled as part of Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture.
