Alongside the annual spring Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auction on 21 April at Bonhams New Bond Street, the Islamic and Indian Art department will unveil ‘A Century of Iraqi Modernism’, a comprehensive sale showcasing the major Iraqi artists and artistic movements of the 20th century. The auction will be the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Dr. Nada Shabout, Professor of Art History and the Director of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Studies Initiative at the University of Texas, said that the ‘small but important collection of works’ in the auction at Bonhams ‘testifies to the creativity and innovation of modern Iraqi artists. The works present examples of historical trajectories that were dominant in setting the rhythms of modern Iraqi art throughout the 20th century.’ A particular highlight of the collection is a portrait of the celebrated Iraqi poet and

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