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Mounir Faheem

Egyptian Contemporary Painter

About Mounir Faheem

Mounir Faheem was born on June 26, 1935, in Rashid, in Egypt’s Beheira Governorate. He grew up in a large family with seven siblings. His father, a land tax officer, moved frequently across the country for work, taking the whole family along. His mother, Esther Faragallah, played a vital role in raising the children and nurturing their education.

Mounir spent eleven formative years in Upper Egypt, mainly in Edfu and Aswan. The region’s ancient temples, the Nile, palm trees, and Nubian culture left a lasting imprint on his imagination. These themes would later define his artistic work. He completed his primary studies in 1949 and earned his high school diploma in Beni Suef. In addition to his artistic flair, Mounir had a natural talent for languages. He learned English with the help of his older brother Gibran and picked up Matouki, a Nubian language. The early death of his brother Asaad at 19 deeply affected him and revealed his emotional depth and sensitivity.At just six years old, Mounir impressed his family by drawing lifelike portraits with his left hand. He filled the margins of notebooks with sketches, often to the concern of his mother. But he excelled in mathematics too, assuring her that a good artist could also be good at math—and he was right.

In 1962, Mounir graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo. He opened his private gallery in Alexandria in 1965. His first major exhibition came in 1970 in Cairo, receiving critical acclaim. He exhibited widely in Egypt and abroad—including Germany, Yugoslavia, Romania, Jordan, Austria, and Spain. Some of his works were acquired by Jordan’s royal family and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.

Mounir Faheem passed away in his sleep on March 2, 1983, in Alexandria. He left behind over 700 portraits and a body of work rooted in the beauty and identity of Egypt. His painting Two Nubian Girls reached a record $137,296 at a Bonhams auction in 2019—cementing his status as a major figure in contemporary Egyptian art.

Key Dates – Mounir Faheem (1935–1983)

June 26, 1935
June 26, 1935

Birth of Mounir Faheem

Born in Rashid (Rosetta), Beheira Governorate, Egypt.

1940s
1940s

Childhood

Spent childhood in Edfu and Aswan, deeply influenced by Upper Egypt’s culture and landscapes

1949
1949

Honoring

Received primary certificate near Kom Ombo (north of Aswan).

Early 1950s
Early 1950s

Education

 Attended high school in Beni Suef and earned his baccalaureate at Al-Nil AlAmiria High School.

1962
1962

Education

Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Cairo.

1965
1965

Gallery

Opened his own gallery in Alexandria

1970
1970

Achievements

First exhibition in Cairo, covered by the press

Exhibited at El Shams Club in Heliopolis; his work was acquired by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.

Participated in a prestigious group show at Palestine Hotel in Alexandria, attended by King Hussein of Jordan.

1970s–80s
1970s–80s

Achievements

Exhibited internationally (including in Madrid and Austria); produced over 700 portraits

March 2, 1983
March 2, 1983

Death

Passed away in his Alexandria apartment

2019
2019

His painting

His painting Two Nubian Girls sold at Bonhams

Artworks

News

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Research & Inquiries

For information about Mounir Faheem's artwork, exhibition history, or scholarly research about his contributions to Egyptian art, please contact the Faheem Art Foundation using the form or contact details below.
For inquiries regarding the acquisition of Mounir Faheem's artworks or for authentication services, please provide detailed information about the piece in question, including photographs if available.
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