Recently, I found a fabulous new avenue to explore: the pioneering work of Iraqi painters. I’ve long had a passion for modern art — Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, etc… I love the delicate dots and short strokes of Monet and Renoir, the amusing and absurd works of Magritte. I’ve studied compositions by Picasso, Braque, Dalí, and Lichtenstein. In one art class, I even imitated the curved lines of Van Gogh’s self portraits and Starry Night.
And so imagine my joy to stumble upon the large network of Iraqi painters who practiced and practice the genre of modern art. There’s Abdul Qadir Al-Rassam who studied in Turkey, before bringing his new knowledge back to Iraq. Or art groups like the Pioneers, the Baghdad Modern Art Group, and New Vision. And pioneering women artists like Naziha Salim and Suad Al-Attar. The work by these different painters is extensive, entirely too many to share in one post, let alone one book or one museum exhibition. But I offer a glimpse into their world here. I hope you love their work as much as I do.
Abdul Qadir Al-Rassam (1882-1952)
Abdul Qadir Al-Rassam was a key member of Iraq’s first modern painters. Sent to Istanbul for military training, he studied art — part of military curriculum — and brought this knowledge back to Iraq. He became an influential teacher, giving classes to other painters from his studio in Baghdad.
His own art features Realist images of Iraqi landscapes and daily life. Rivers are a prominent theme, while the painting below features a plane soaring past the ruins of the Great Mosque of Samarra with its spiral minaret.
Faiq Hassan (1914-1992)
Faiq Hassan is often called “the father of Iraqi modern art.” After a government scholarship took him to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he returned to teach at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad. There, he launched Iraq’s first modern art group, the Pioneers, who pushed out of the studio to incorporate nature and local life into their work.
Hassan experimented with many styles of painting including Cubism, Impressionism, and abstract art. He was a master of color as well, relishing in the technical aspect of mixing and employing diverse hues.
Khalid Al-Jader (1922-1988)
Khalid Al-Jader immersed himself in both the practice and history of art. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he completed a PhD in the history of Islamic Art from the Sorbonne. Upon his return to Iraq, he took a prominent role in the development of art education in the country. He led the Institute of Fine Arts as its dean for several years, then spearheaded its conversion into the Academy of Fine Arts in 1961.
Al-Jader joined the Pioneers and the Iraqi Impressionists group. Some critics say his work was also an early form of Iraqi abstract art. The paintings here highlight two of his reoccurring themes — the river and village life.
Shakir Hassan Al Said (1925-2004)
Shaker Hassan Al Said was equally influential through his art and his art theory. Like others before him, he studied at Baghdad’s Institute of Fine Arts and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. However, with Jawad Saleem, he also founded the Baghdad Modern Art Group, which embraced modernity and Iraq’s local heritage. Al Said wrote art manifestos for the group, and later emphasized art and nationalism through his One Dimension Group.
We see this mix of themes in the painting above, where Al Said uses a modern Cubist style to portray cow herders returning to their village. Al Said often included calligraphy and Arabic letters in his work as well, like in the abstract piece below.
Naziha Salim (1927-2008)
Naziha Salim was one of the first Iraqi women to receive a scholarship to study art abroad. After taking classes at the Institute of Fine Arts, she traveled to France for a degree from the École des Beaux-Arts. Upon her return to Baghdad, she obtained a position at the Institute, teaching there for over 20 years and influencing a whole new generation of Iraqi artists.
Salim was a member of the Pioneers and the Baghdad Modern Art Group (founded by Al Said and her brother Jawad). Her art includes portraits and village scenes, like the two pieces here.
Kadhim Haidar (1932-1985)
Kadhim Hayder pushed Iraqi art education in new directions, establishing the Design Department at Baghdad’s Institute of Fine Arts. Like other Iraqi painters, he had studied there himself. But then he took a new route. Instead of going to Paris, he enrolled at London’s Royal School of Art.
Hayder was a writer and a poet, as well as a painter. His compositions feature vivid imagery, like the galloping horsemen above, and often referenced poetry or popular stories.
Dia Al-Azzawi (b. 1939)
Dia Al-Azzawi extended the reach of Iraqi art through senior positions in and outside Iraq. First, after obtaining degrees in art from the Institute and archaeology from the College of Arts, he led Iraq’s Antiquities Department from 1968-1976. Then he became Artistic Director of the Iraqi Cultural Centre in London. There, he organized a series of art exhibitions, exposing new audiences to Iraqi art.
In his art, Al-Azzawi blended art with political expression. He launched the New Vision art group with this goal in mind, and also joined Al Said’s One Direction Group. Al-Azzawi’s more recent work often comments on the state of Iraq, including homages to Baghdad after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Suad al-Attar (b. 1942)
Suad Al-Attar was the first female artist to have a solo exhibition in Baghdad. She studied in Baghdad, but also received degrees from California State University and the School of Art and Design in London. With government support, Al-Attar actively participated in international art exhibitions. She won awards at exhibitions in Brazil, Egypt, England, and Malta – further enhancing the visibility and status of Iraqi art.
Her paintings feature mythical landscapes like the golden forest above, and close studies of Iraqi culture and traditions. These include portraits, cityscapes, gardens and trees, often in beautifully muted tones of one or two main colors.
What Next?
Explore more work by Iraqi painters! The paintings shown here are only a small part of these eight artists’ collections. Not to mention the art of other Iraqi painters. Start by browsing the artists and paintings in the vast online collection of the Modern Art Iraq Archive. Then check out Middle Eastern museums like Mathaf (the Arab Museum of Modern Art) in Qatar and the Barjeel Art Foundation in the UAE, both of which have incredible websites about their temporary exhibitions and permanent collections. The Mathaf Encyclopedia is a rare resource as well, with detailed biographies and information about modern art across the Arab world.
Then tell us what you think. Which of these Iraqi paintings and painters are your favorites and why? What aspects of their art surprised you? What or who do you want to learn more about? I’d love to hear your thoughts about these artists. Put your ideas in the comment box below, or reach out by email or social media through the Contact Page.
And take a minute to see what other things we’ve discussed on the blog. Recent posts explore brilliant illustrations in the Persian epic Shahnameh, trace the history of Marrakesh through a series of historic buildings, travel to the desert oasis of Taghit in Algeria, and drool over delicious recipes in six Middle Eastern cookbooks.
Leave a Reply