Biography

Born in Damascus, Mahmoud Hammad (1923–1988) first encountered Western art at age 16 during his initial trip to Italy. Inspired by this experience and Syria's nationalist movement, he began creating works depicting Syrian landscapes while teaching in local schools. Following a successful exhibition, he earned a scholarship to study at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, graduating in 1957. Upon returning to Damascus in 1960, he helped establish the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University, where he taught and later served as Dean (1970–1980).

A versatile artist working as a printmaker, sculptor, and painter, Hammad's early work centered on landscapes and portraiture influenced by realism and impressionism. His later works, however, became his signature achievement—abstract compositions that masterfully balanced form and color. From 1964 until his death, he created a pioneering modernist series incorporating Arab script as its central element. His distinctive arrangement of letters created rhythmic compositions that sometimes evolved into pure abstraction.

Hammad's artistic excellence earned him prestigious recognition, including the Knight Commander of the Republic of Italy (1975), the Syrian Highest Medal of Merit in Arts and Literature (1979), and the National Syrian Garter (1989). His works are now housed in several renowned collections, including the British Museum; Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha; Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah; Dalloul Art Foundation, Beirut; and the Jalanbo Art Foundation.