Portrait of an Italian Woman

Abdel Hadi El Gazzar is one of the most cherished seminal figures in the history of modern Egyptian art. Born in Alexandria, he graduated from the Cairo School of Fine Arts, and later obtained two scholarships to Rome, Italy - one in 1954, and another in 1957, where he studied at the School of Art and Restoration.

This portrait of an Italian woman is one of the most rare pieces by El Gazzar, as only a few portraits painted by him were discovered after his death. The woman wears a wool hat and a turtleneck sweater, suggesting that she was painted on a cold winter day. She has red hair, which is complemented by her vibrant red lips.