Egypt’s Supreme Council of Culture to hold ‘Museums: Heritage of the Nation in the Face of Absenteeism’ lecture on June 10

CAIRO – 10 June 2021: The Fine Arts and Architecture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture is organizing a lecture entitled “Museums: Heritage of the Nation in the Face of Absenteeism” by Tarik Mamoun, director of Mahmoud Khalil Museum. The lecture will be broadcast online on June 10 at 7 p.m.

The lecture comes within the framework of the cultural activities organized by the Fine Arts and Architecture Committee. It is part of a series of lectures entitled "The Role of Arts and Architecture in Confronting Extremism".

The series includes short lectures by famous figures of plastic arts and architecture in Egypt on the role of arts in confronting intellectual extremism and supporting and promoting positive values.

Mahmoud Khalil Museum was built in 1915. It was originally a palace belonging to Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Emiline Lock, both patrons of fine art who had a taste for aesthetics.

The four-story building itself is an artistic wonder. Its eastern side was built to face the River Nile; it features elements of the "Art Nouveau" style of architecture. The artwork is apparent in the metal and glass work of the entrance. The western side of the palace, however, features heavy European influence. 
  

Khalil was both an Egyptian politician and a sponsor of art in Egypt's cultural scene, having helped in the foundation of the Society of Fine Arts Lovers alongside Prince Youssef Kamal. Khalil was the society’s chairman from 1942 to 1952. 
  

Before his death in 1953, Khalil left the house to his wife, who in turn bequeathed the house to the Egyptian government upon her death. The house was then converted into a museum and was officially inaugurated on July 23, 1962. 
  

The first, second and ground floors of the palace were transformed into art galleries, and the northern side of the museum features a window painted by French artist Lucien Matte in 1907. It is just one example of the rich European art culture present within the museum's collections. World-renowned artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, also have their works featured in the museum. 
  

It is not just European culture that the museum highlights, however. One of its most valuable collections is a collection of small and incredibly rare boxes from Japan, considered to be priceless heirlooms. There are also vases from Iran, Japan and China, along with dishes from Turkey and sculptures by European artists, such as Rodan.