Robert Mouawad Private Museum

{{short description|Museum in Beirut, Lebanon}}

{{Infobox museum

|name = Robert Mouawad Private Museum

|image = Beyrouth Robert Mouawad Private Museum 0584.jpg

|image_size = 200px

|caption =

|alt = View of Robert Mouawad Private Museum building

|pushpin_map = Lebanon Beirut#Lebanon

|coordinates = {{coord|33.895325|35.498981|display=inline,title}}

|established = {{date and age|2006|5|11}}

|location = Beirut, Lebanon

|type = Archaeological

|visitors =

|director =

|curator =

|website = {{URL|http://www.rmpm.info/}}

}}

The Robert Mouawad Private Museum ({{langx|ar|متحف روبير معوض الخاص}}) is a private residence in Beirut's Zokak el-Blat quarter that was turned into a museum by the Lebanese businessman Robert Mouawad.

The palace was built in the neo-gothic style by the Lebanese politician and art collector Henri Philippe Pharaoun in 1891.{{cite web |url=https://adiamondinsunlight.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/a-palace-fit-for-a-pharaoh/ |title=Private Site |website=adiamondinsunlight.wordpress.com |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155628/https://adiamondinsunlight.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/a-palace-fit-for-a-pharaoh/ |url-status=live }}{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henri-Philippe-Pharaon |title=Henri-Philippe Pharaon |encyclopedia=Britannica |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402161124/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henri-Philippe-Pharaon |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=dead}} The museum was inaugurated on 11 May 2006. It houses objects of value reflecting a mix of artistic oriental and occidental cultures, and a collection of rare books, Chinese porcelain, ceramics, and other significant objects.{{cite web |author= |url=http://rmpm.info/ |title=Robert Maawad Private Museum |website=Rmpm.info |date= |accessdate=2016-02-25 |archive-date=2016-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206082437/http://www.rmpm.info/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.usek.edu.lb/en/NewsDetails.aspx?pageid=6345 | title=Conference about "private museum of Robert Mouawad" | publisher=Holy Spirit University of Kaslik | date=May 27, 2006 | accessdate=November 7, 2011 | author=Holy Spirit University Faculty | archive-date=April 2, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402024306/http://www.usek.edu.lb/en/NewsDetails.aspx?pageid=6345 | url-status=dead }} The palace's architecture and design reflects Pharaoun's infatuation with Islamic Art and decorative wooden panels that date back to the 17th century, especially after his repeated travels to Syria.{{cite web | first=May | last=Farhat | date=2012 | title=A Mediterraneanist's Collection: Henri Pharaon's "Treasure House of Arab Art" Ars Orientalis | volume=42 | url=https://www.academia.edu/6400949 | publisher=Academia.edu | access-date=8 January 2017 | archive-date=19 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619133806/https://www.academia.edu/6400949 | url-status=live }} Other displayed artifacts include Byzantine mosaics, Roman marble sculptures, jars and jugs, historical columns, pottery, ancient weapons, unique carpets, jewelry pieces, precious stones, Melkite Catholic icons, and preserved manuscripts.{{cite web|url=http://www.rmpm.info/index.aspx |accessdate=September 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306165806/http://www.rmpm.info/index.aspx |archivedate=March 6, 2012 |title=Welcome to Robert Mouawad Private museum }}{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/real_cities/8280919.stm | title=Robert Mouawad Private Museum | publisher=BBC | location=UK | work=The Real Beirut | date=October 1, 2009 | accessdate=November 6, 2011 | archive-date=October 5, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005115613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/real_cities/8280919.stm | url-status=live }}

The museum was closed following the 2020 Beirut explosion.{{Cite web |last=Bauer |first=Sarah Mady, Nelly P. Abboud and Alexander A. |date=2020-09-30 |title=Beirut After the Explosion: The Effects on the Cultural Heritage and the Museums |url=https://www.e-ir.info/2020/09/30/beirut-after-the-explosion-the-effects-on-the-cultural-heritage-and-the-museums/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=E-International Relations |language=en-US}} The museum has since reopened.{{Cite web |last=Rainey |first=Venetia |title=Bringing Beirut’s museum scene back to life |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/10/26/bringing-beiruts-museum-scene-back-to-life |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=الوكالة الوطنية للإعلام - L’Oréal Paris honors four remarkable Lebanese women at the “Women of Worth” gala dinner |url=https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA/702166/l-or%C3%A9al-paris-honors-four-remarkable-lebanese-wome |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=National News Agency |language=en}}