Key paintings by Samia Halaby, Paul Guiragossian, Mahmoud Said, and Aref El Rayess are currently being showcased at Christie’s Dubai, offering art enthusiasts a rare glimpse into some of the most compelling works from the Middle East. Many of these pieces come from the prestigious Dalloul Collection, a trove renowned for its significant cultural value and artistic diversity.
The exhibition is running until October 10 and presents highlights that will be featured in two major live auctions by Christie’s in London later this year. These include the Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale from October 28 to November 11 and the Silsila auction, which will take place at Christie’s iconic King Street headquarters on November 6. The Silsila sale is particularly noteworthy as it showcases highlights from the Dalloul Collection, marking the third time Christie’s has hosted a sale featuring this treasured assemblage.
The Dalloul Collection itself has a fascinating history. It began in the 1970s, when art collector couple Ramzi Dalloul and Saeda El Husseini Dalloul started acquiring Arab art. Today, their son Basel Dalloul manages the collection, which is also supported by his Beirut-based Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation (Daf). This foundation is actively diversifying the collection to include more contemporary voices, reflecting evolving artistic trends in the region.
Ridha Moumni, chairman of Christie’s Middle East and Africa, expressed pride in presenting pieces from the Dalloul Collection, emphasizing its vitality and robust artistic heritage accumulated over nearly five decades. The exhibition features some remarkable works, including Paul Guiragossian’s “Automne,” painted in 1989. This striking large-scale painting is characteristic of Guiragossian’s signature elongated forms and expressive brushstrokes, and it is expected to fetch between £120,000 and £180,000 (up to $242,000).
Marie-Claire Thijsen, head of sale and a specialist at Christie’s London and Dubai, highlighted Guiragossian’s consistent popularity, noting that his late 1980s period resonates strongly with collectors due to its artistic mastery and scale.
The Dubai exhibition also includes compelling works by Palestinian artists Kamal Boullata and Samia Halaby. Boullata’s “Nocturne I” (2001), an abstract piece featuring textured lines in deep blues and violets, is estimated between £30,000 and £50,000. Halaby’s “Gardenia” (1978), part of her acclaimed “Diagonal Flight” series inspired by Islamic geometry, presents a captivating play of diagonal lines and color contrasts. This work, from a highly sought-after period in her career, is estimated between £50,000 and £70,000.
Meanwhile, the exhibition pays homage to Egyptian modernist Mahmoud Said with the serene landscape “La colline de Mekarzel” (Mekarzel Hill), estimated at £60,000 to £80,000. Lebanese painter Aref El Rayess’s “Soukhour Meyrouba,” Lebanese artist Etel Adnan’s untitled 2019 piece, and Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian’s 1976 reverse glass painting round out a diverse selection, reflecting the broad stylistic range present in the upcoming sales.
The focus on Lebanese and Palestinian artists underscores the roots of the Dalloul family and their collection’s dedication to representing the Levant’s rich cultural history. Thijsen noted how the curation intertwines different geographic influences to showcase the region’s intertwined art history.
Leading up to the auctions, Christie’s is hosting a series of exhibitions in cities like London, Paris, and Dubai to give collectors and art lovers access to important works from the history of Arab art. Notably, the Silsila auction and the Dalloul Collection feature a painting by Mahmoud Said titled “La Fille aux yeux verts” (The Girl with the Green Eyes). This piece has an intriguing provenance story involving the Egyptian government and Interpol, due to concerns about its ownership. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Said painted two versions of the subject in the early 1930s. The one being auctioned now is estimated between £250,000 and £350,000.
Among other treasures is a large-scale work by the late Syrian artist Marwan from 2014, probably one of the final pieces in his celebrated Kopf (head) series. It is known for bold, colorful brushstrokes and his signature textured surface, with an estimated value between £150,000 and £200,000.
Adding a sculptural dimension is Mona Saudi’s “Shajarat al-Hayat” (Tree of Life), a striking piece carved from green marble that exemplifies the Jordanian artist’s geometric style. Created in the 2000s, this rare work is estimated between £50,000 and £70,000, with Moumni describing it as “absolutely spectacular.”
Another highlight is a monumental triptych by Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour, painted in 2014 and depicting the harvesting of oranges in Jaffa. This expansive work, measuring over three meters wide, features detailed figures in traditional Palestinian dress and carries an estimate of £120,000 to £180,000. Thijsen praised it as “stunning” and impressive for its scale and cultural significance.
Lastly, the exhibition presents Lebanese artist Huguette Caland’s 1998 piece “Vive La Liberte” (Long Live Freedom), an exquisite mixed-media work using metallic pens to create a textured, collage-like surface featuring flowers and trees. Estimated between £180,000 and £250,000, the artwork has never previously been auctioned and moves directly from one private collection to another, marking it as a standout piece in this prestigious sale.
This exciting exhibition at Christie’s Dubai offers not only a preview of the upcoming auctions but also a deep dive into the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern and Arab art, showcasing works that range from modernist to contemporary masterpieces.
