Qatar Foundation has announced the opening of the Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, the world’s first and largest museum dedicated to the life of reowned artist Maqbool Fida Husain. The museum will open to the public on 28 November. The museum will be located in Doha’s Education City, offering a comprehensive exploration of the artist’s prolific career, spanning work from the 1950s until his passing in 2011.
Born in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India in the early 1900s, M F Husain was a pioneering figure in Modern Indian art and a founding member of the Progressive Artists Group, established in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1947. He played a key role in reshaping Indian visual culture by breaking away from colonial academic traditions and the styles of miniature painting. His works has been featured in leading institutions including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The permanent collection contains films, tapestry, photography, installations and poetry, as well as series comprises more than 35 paintings commissioned by her highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. The paintings created by M F Husain were inspired by Arab civilisation and completed before his death. Another highlight is the artist’s final masterpiece, Seeroo fi al ardh, which will be incorporated into the museum as a dedicated gallery.
The architecture of the museum is based on a conceptual sketch drawn by the artist himself, underscoring his belief that buildings, like paintings, can be works of art. This design reflects Husain’s boundary-pushing approach and lifelong dedication to experimentation.
Kholoud M Al-Ali, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Programming at Qatar Foundation notes “Husain’s remarkable journey as an artist mirrors the vibrant spirit of Education City, and his timeless works that will be displayed for all to experience in Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum will further enrich Qatar Foundation’s portfolio of public art, with over 100 works currently being displayed across Education City. This museum will illustrate the power of creativity to inspire, educate and foster the cross-cultural understanding that connects communities and worlds.”
