An 18-metre-long gilded leather masterpiece is commanding attention at Louvre Abu Dhabi, marking one of the museum’s most ambitious conservation projects to date.

The Triumph of David, a monumental 17th-century European decorative work, has gone on display following a meticulous two-year restoration carried out on-site in Abu Dhabi. Composed of multiple painted and gilded leather panels, the artwork depicts a royal procession celebrating David’s victory over Goliath — a biblical story that captivated European artists for centuries.

Stylistically linked to artists from the school of Rembrandt, the piece reflects how 17th-century Europe imagined the East. Rich fabrics, elaborate headdresses and architectural motifs reveal a fascination with “Oriental” aesthetics — filtered not through direct experience, but through imagination.

What makes this exhibition particularly significant is not only the scale of the work, but where it now lives. Installed in a gallery dedicated to the pre-modern period, the artwork reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global centre for cultural dialogue. Located on Saadiyat Island in the United Arab Emirates, the museum continues to position itself as a crossroads between civilisations.

The restoration process was especially complex. Leather is highly sensitive to climate conditions, and conservators had to carefully remove 19th-century glue reinforcements, stabilise fragile silver leaf layers and revive painted details that had darkened over time. Scientific imaging conducted in the museum’s laboratories also revealed hidden alterations made by the original artist.

Now spanning an entire wall, the installation delivers an undeniable visual impact. Dozens of figures seem to gaze back at visitors, creating what conservators describe as a powerful “wow effect.”

More than a biblical scene, The Triumph of David becomes a story of cultural exchange — a European vision of the East, restored and recontextualised in the heart of the Middle East itself.