1 Oct 2025
It was announced today that on November 28, Qatar Foundation will open Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, dedicated to the life and work of one of the giants of modern art, Maqbool Fida Husain.
Often called the “Picasso of India,” Maqbool Fida Husain (1915–2011) was a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group in Bombay and one of the most celebrated modernists of the 20th century. His bold, expressive style — simplified forms, vibrant colours, and a blend of modernist language with Indian themes — made him instantly recognisable. Horses, mother-and-child figures, and scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana appeared again and again in his work. But painting was just one part of his world: he also created prints, sculptures, and films, even winning a prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 1967 for Through the Eyes of a Painter. In his later years, Husain lived in Qatar and London, carrying both controversy and acclaim, but always remaining at the centre of India’s modern art story.
Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, Doha. Photo: courtesy Qatar Foundation
The museum itself is a work of art — its design is based on a sketch Husain made for the building, reflecting his vision that architecture, too, could be part of his creative legacy.
M.F. Husain‘s sketch. Photo: courtesy Qatar Foundation
So what will visitors find inside? Essentially, Husain’s universe. The museum promises to open up the influences, philosophies, and memories that shaped his career. Through multimedia storytelling and works spanning paintings, films, tapestry, photography, and poetry, it will bring Husain’s creativity to life in bold and innovative ways for audiences in Qatar and beyond.
Among the highlights will be more than 35 large-scale paintings inspired by Arab civilisation — a commission from Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation — which Husain completed before his death.
And for those who know Husain’s final masterpiece, Seeroo fi al ardh — the spectacular installation in Education City celebrating the progress of humanity — it will also be part of the museum, transformed into a gallery of its own with a specially curated show.
Visiting Lawh Wa Qalam will be a chance to step into Husain’s world in a very direct way — to see how his ideas unfolded across painting, film, and design, and how the themes he returned to again and again still resonate. For visitors, it is less about grand statements and more about small discoveries — colours, figures, fragments of stories — that add up to a fuller picture of why Husain continues to matter. So mark your calendars for November 28 — this is an opening worth experiencing.
More from
DubaiAbu Dhabi
Art, History, Sparkle: 4 Cultural Events Not To Miss This September
From Hermès diamonds to Mamluk dynasties, September’s cultural calendar is looking anything but dull
by Dara Morgan
19 Sept 2025
MuseumsAbu Dhabi
The Pearl Of Saadiyat: What To Expect From Zayed National Museum
The long-awaited opening of the significant cultural institution is yet to happen in December this year
by Sophie She
15 Aug 2025
ArtMuseums
Inside Doha’s Top Art Galleries: A Visual Guide
What to visit to really get a feel for Doha’s art scene
by Alexandra Mansilla
14 Jul 2025
ArtGalleries
Naila Art Gallery: A Space That Listens
One more place in Riyadh to check out if you are into art
by Alexandra Mansilla
18 Apr 2025
EventsArt
6 Art & Culture Events Not To Miss Around Beirut This March
Bringing the mix of grounding serenity and intense emotions with rich cultural life of Beirut
by Christelle EL-Daher
3 Mar 2025
DubaiMuseums
Beyond Shopping: Step Into Dubai's Museums For a Cultural Journey
Discover Dubai's cultural hidden gems
by Iffat Nawaz
20 Jan 2025