Top 10 Arab Artists by Price

Raseef22 checked auction houses’ databases for the 10 most expensive works by Arab artists.

"Break of the Atom and Vegetal Life" by Fakhr El-Nissa Zeid: $2.741 million

Princess Fakhr El-Nissa Zeid (1901-1991) was one of the leading “fusion” artists in the history of art. Of Turkish origins, her signature style mixed Islamic and Byzantine art with abstract, impressionist, and other Western influences. Her masterpiece "Break of the Atom and Vegetal Life", which dates back to 1962, was sold for $2.741 million (Christie's Dubai 2013).

"The Whirling Dervishes" by Mahmoud Said: $2.546 million

The great Mahmoud Said (1897-1964), was a well-known Alexandrian judge and the uncle of Egypt’s Queen Farida. "The Whirling Dervishes", dating back to 1929, was sold for $2.546 million (Christie’s Dubai 2010).

"Icons of the Nile" by Chant Avedissian: $1.565 million

"Construction of the Suez Canal" by Abdul Hadi El-Gazzar's: $1.023 million

Abdul Hadi Al-Gazzar (1925-1965), was an Egyptian phenomenon that continues to influence Arab art to this day. His "Construction of the Suez Canal", which dates back to 1965, was sold for $1.023 million (Christie's Dubai 2014).

"Baghdad 1" by Ahmed Al Soudani: $943,000

Ahmed Al Soudani (1976) is an Iraqi who is often described as an “unorthodox” artist. He is educated in Syria and currently living in New York City. His "Baghdad 1", which dates back to 2011, was sold for $943,000 (Christie's London 2011).

"Message/Messenger" by Abdel Nasser Gharem: $842,000

Abdel Nasser Gharem (1973), is a Saudi Army officer and an artist. His "Message/Messenger", which he finished in 2010, was sold for $842,000 (Christie's Dubai 2011).

"Au Bord du Nil " by Mahmoud Mokhtar: $458,500

Mahmoud Mokhtar (1891-1934), is one of the “pioneers” of the Egyptian Art Movement. His sculpture "On the Banks of the Nile" was made between 1903 and 1939 and was sold for $458,500 (Sotheby's London 2014).

"Qur'anic Polyptych of Nine Panels" by Ahmed Moustafa: $657,000

Ahmed Mustafa (1934), is an Egyptian artist known for integrating Islamic calligraphy with European painting techniques. His "Qur'anic Polyptych of Nine Panels", which dates back to 1995, was sold for $657,000 (Christie's Dubai 2007).

"Nasser and the Nationalisation of the Canal" by Ahmad Eweis: $557,000

Ahmad Eweis (191-2011) A pioneer of social realism, is considered to be a pillar of revolutionary art in Egypt. His work "Nasser and the Nationalisation of the Canal" dating back to 1957, was sold for $557,000.

"Untitled" by Marwan Kassab Bashi: $483,000

Hamburg based artist Marwan Kassab Bashi, also known as Marwan (1934), is one of the most renowned contemporary Arab artists. This untitled work, which dates back to 1975, was sold for $483,000 (Lempertz, Cologne 2014).