Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Hussein Madi Biography
Hussein Madi, born in 1938 in Chebaa, Lebanon, was a prolific Lebanese painter, sculptor, and printmaker whose career spanned several decades and continents. Madi's artistic journey began in his hometown of Chebaa, where he spent his childhood summers observing his grandfather's mastery in farming, carpentry, and blacksmithing. This early exposure to the meticulousness and dedication required in craftsmanship profoundly influenced Madi's approach to art.
In 1958, against his parents' wishes, Madi enrolled at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) in Beirut. To support himself and pay his tuition, he worked as an illustrator and caricaturist for various newspapers, including Dar el Kifah and Jaridat al Yaoum. His time at ALBA was crucial for his development, especially in the study of human anatomy, which would later play a significant role in his art.
After a brief period working in Baghdad, Iraq, as an illustrator, Madi moved to Rome in 1963. Initially planning to stay for only two months, he ended up residing there for 22 years. In Rome, Madi continued his studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti, where he was accepted after a two-month trial period and allowed to skip the first year. His time in Rome was transformative; he delved into the cultural heritage of the Levant and Egypt and studied the Old Masters' techniques in frescoes, mosaics, and bronze sculpture. Madi's work during this period was marked by a blend of traditional Islamic iconography and colorful modernist techniques reminiscent of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.
Madi's art is characterized by its rhythmic compositions, harmonizing abstract design with elements of Islamic art, and representational subjects depicting the female form and animals such as horses or birds. His philosophy of art was deeply spiritual and philosophical, inspired by the mystery of creation. Madi believed that all things born and die respond to four categories: type, number, color, and dimension. The repetition in his paintings was a way to honor the creator, exploring the interactions of colors and forms within the space of the painting.
Throughout his career, Madi participated in international exhibitions, including the Alexandria Biennale, International Biennale in Cairo, and International Biennale in São Paulo. His works have been acquired by prestigious institutions such as the British Museum, The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah, Dalloul Art Foundation and the Sursock Museum in Beirut, Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and displayed at the Ueno Museum in Tokyo and Sharjah Museum.
Madi's contributions to the art world were recognized with several awards, including the Sursock Museum 5th Salon Prize for Painting (1965–66), the 8th Salon's Prize for Sculpture offered by the Italian Cultural Centre in 1968/69, and the First Prize for Engraving, Citta di Lecce, Italy (1974). He also served as President of the Association of Lebanese Artists in 1982 and 1992.
Hussein Madi passed away on 17 January 2024, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations of artists. His work, a testament to a life dedicated to exploring and understanding the essence of creation, remains a vibrant part of the global art landscape. Madi's unique ability to blend different artistic traditions and techniques has cemented his place as one of the most important figures in contemporary Middle Eastern art.
Hussein Madi Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: