Hossein Kazemi (Iranian, 1924-1996)

A leading and pioneer Iranian Modern artist, Hossein Kazemi moved away from the academic style of Kamal Al-Molk following his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The present work, a charming portrait from Kazemi's beginnings, reveals his experimentation with Cubism and his fascination by Western Modernist painting while hinting at his Persian heritage, notably with the traditional Iranian instrument held by the figure and the abstracted background. A rare and charming composition from his celebrated Cubist period, this work was gifted to a prominent and well-respected artist of his generation. Kazemi himself loved it so much, that he started another version of the same painting to keep in his personal collection, a work that unfortunately was left unfinished when the artist passed away in 1996.