The Louvre has sold its name to an Abu Dhabi group that will recreate a satellite museum in the desert:

The Abu Dhabi initiative has stirred an uproar in French art circles. “It’s scandalous,” says Didier Rykner, an art historian who has collected more than 5,000 signatures—including some former top Louvre curators—on a petition opposing the plan. Critics say such megadeals make it harder for less wealthy museums to obtain art on loan. Loyrette says the Louvre still lends individual works free of charge, but for exhibits drawn exclusively from its collection, “we ask for a fee, which is perfectly normal.” continue reading...