The generals' two biggest bugbears have long been Muslimfundamentalism (from which Mr Erdogan's party is now so keen to distance itself) and Kurdish separatism that might, if it grew stronger, prompt the break-up of the once-much-grander Turkish state.
Nevertheless, the Louvre successfully ties Islam to glorious achievements, effectively injecting art into the debate surrounding France's growing Muslim population and fear of Islamic fundamentalism.