Egypt’s Min. of Culture succeeds in retrieving Abdel Hadi el-Gazzar’s lost painting

CAIRO – 14 June 2022: Egypt’s Ministry of Culture succeeded in recovering the painting "Inspired by the Red Sea’s Lighthouses" by the international Egyptian plastic artist Abdel Hadi el-Gazzar.

The painting has been lost since 1971.

The story of retrieving the painting started when news spread about its sale. The Fine Arts Sector issued a warning statement prohibiting the sale, as the painting is registered as one of the holdings of the Egyptian state, and represents an integral part of the Egyptian cultural identity and fine arts movement.

After the statement was issued, the owner of the painting contacted Gazzar’s daughter, expressing his desire to hand the painting over to the Ministry of Culture.

Immediately, Egypt’s Culture Minister Inas Abdel Dayem formed an artistic committee to examine the painting and verify its originality. After examining the painting through modern devices, it was found that the painting is original and dates back to 1964.

Abdel Dayem decided to display the painting in the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art to be an addition to its precious holdings.