Within the framework of its ‘Falastin al Hadara’ program, Darat al Funun presents a number of exhibitions that look at both pioneering and contemporary art in Palestine.

The Pioneers presents the works of pioneering Palestinian artists Zulfa Sa’di, Nicolas Saig and Khalil Halabi, together with a selection of textiles and dresses dating back to the mid-nineteenth century from Widad Kawar’s collection, and nineteenth century paintings and prints by travelers from Dr. Hisham Al Khatib’s collection, depicting the Palestinian cities of Jerusalem, Haifa, Akkah, Nablus, and Bethlehem during that era.

Saig stood out with his paintings dealing with religious, natural and historical scenes. He had his atelier in Jerusalem, where many studied and trained under his supervision. Khalil Halabi also lived in the city and depicted it in many of his works. Zulfa Sa’di arose as an artist who was granted an award for her oil paintings at the 1933 art exhibition in Jerusalem at the Palestine Pavilion of the First National Arab Art Fair.

Image: Zulfa Sa'di, Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, c.1930.