Hafidh al-Droubi

Hafidh al-Droubi (; 1914–1991), also known as Hafez al-Droubi, was an Iraqi painter and draughtsman, noted for his Cubist paintings and his approach to professionalizing Iraqi art education in the early to mid 20th-century. He was a prolific painter, an important artist in The Pioneer generation, a key figure in the development of modernism in Iraq and a key figure in the development of early Iraqi art education.

Life and career

Hafidh-al Droubi was born in Bab al-Sheikh, Baghdad, in 1914. As a young student at the Bab al-Sheikh Primary School, he was introduced to painting and drawing and learned the techniques of European academic art in terms of proportions, anatomy and perspective.Ferial Hussein 19 years on the departure of the artist Baghdad artist Hafez Aldroubi, Iraahurrm 10 March 2010, Online: His conservative family disapproved of his passion for painting, which they considered the 'work of the devil'. In the 1920s, his uncle regularly threatened to cut him off if he persisted with art. However, his allowance continued and he used the money to purchase art supplies.Gilgamesh, Issue 2, Ministry of Information and Culture, 1990, p. 15 and p. 89

In 1936, he received a scholarship to study in Rome, graduating from the Accademia Reale.Tejel, J., Writing the Modern History of Iraq: Historiographical and Political Challenges, World Scientific, 2012, p. 476; Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online: Due to the outbreak of war, his studies were interrupted and he returned to Baghdad for a brief period, during which he opened a free atelier in Baghdad, dedicated to giving aspiring artists access to studio space and resources for their practice.Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online:; "Hafidh al Droubi," Barjeel Foundation, Online: He served as the dean of the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad."Hafidh al Droubi," Barjeel Foundation, Online:

After the war, he returned to his art studies, enrolling at Goldsmiths College, London, and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950.Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online:

On his permanent return to Baghdad, he became very active in the formation and development of Iraq's arts community. He was an early member of The Pioneers art group, Iraq's first formal arts society. He co-founded the first Iraqi Fine Art Society (also known as the Friends of Art) in 1941 which not only aimed to encourage social interaction between artists, but also to develop the artistic taste of the general public. This group also organized annual art exhibitions to promote the work of local artists.Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online:; Floyd, Tiffany Renee. "Droubi, Hafidh al- (1914–1991)," The Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism, Taylor and Francis, 2016. Date Accessed 25 Jun. 2018 https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/droubi-hafidh-al-1914-1991. doi:10.4324/9781135000356-REM1565-1 In 1953, he formed the Impressionists art collective,Aldabbagh, S., "From Yahya Alwasiti to Hafidh Aldroubi to Rafa Alnasira: Building Bridges," Contemporary Practice Art Journal, Vol. XI, pp 74-77, Online: which consisted of fellow artists and some of his students, including Dia Azzawi.Faraj, M., Strokes Of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art, London, Saqi Books, 2001, p. 43 In spite of its name, the group did not dictate that members follow Impressionism exclusively, rather it encouraged artists to experiment with a variety of different styles."Hafidh Al Droubi," [Biographical Details] British Museum,, Online:

He was among the first group of teachers at the Baghdad College of Fine Arts,University of Baghdad, "The Emergence of the Faculty of Fine Arts," Online: and went on to become Dean of the Iraqi Fine Arts Academy.Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online: As an art educator, al-Droubi was not committed to any particular style or genre. Instead, he encouraged his students to experiment with a variety of different styles.Floyd, T. R., "Droubi, Hafidh al- (1914–1991)," [Biography] in: Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism, 2017, DOI: 10.4324/9781135000356-REM1565-1 Online:

Although he was a prolific painter, he is mainly remembered for his contribution to art education: professionalizing the art industry and developing a coherent pedagogy for the teaching of art in the early to mid-20th century.Floyd, T., "Hafidh Al-Droubi," Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online:Floyd, Tiffany Renee. "Droubi, Hafidh al- (1914–1991) ." The Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism. : Taylor and Francis, 2016. Date Accessed 25 Jun. 2018 https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/droubi-hafidh-al-1914-1991. doi:10.4324/9781135000356-REM1565-1

Work

Al-Droubi was a highly experimental painter; at different times in his career he followed Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and Futurism, however, is arguably best known for using Cubist works to depict local themes.Siba Aldabbagh, "From Yahya Alwasiti to Hafidh Aldroubi to Rafa Alnasira: Building Bridges," Contemporary Practice Art Journal, Vol. XI, pp 74-77, Online:

While his techniques were primarily based on Western art movements, he never abandoned Iraqi society and art traditions. He sought to adapt Western art for a uniquely Iraqi audience, culture and experience. He often used Iraqi themes for his subject matter, preferring to paint scenes of everyday life.Siba Aldabbagh, "From Yahya Alwasiti to Hafidh Aldroubi to Rafa Alnasira: Building Bridges," Contemporary Practice Art Journal, Vol. XI, pp 74-77, Online: During the latter years of Hashemite rule in Iraq, he took advantage of Iraq’s social, political and economic ties with Britain to help forge a tapestry of cultural borrowing and adaptation, whilst preserving facets of Iraqi tradition and themes. Specifically, he painted scenes of Baghdad, its streets, its markets and its people to the extent that he became known as the "City Painter".Siba Aldabbagh, "From Yahya Alwasiti to Hafidh Aldroubi to Rafa Alnasira: Building Bridges," Contemporary Practice Art Journal, Vol. XI, pp 74-77, Online:

Select list of major works

Life in Babylon, mural, formerly located in the Babylonian Rooms of the Old MuseumStone, P.G. and Bajjaly, J.G. (eds), The Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Iraq, Boydell & Brewer, 2008, p. 29 Life in Hattra, formerly located in the Babylonian Rooms of the Old MuseumStone, P.G. and Bajjaly, J.G. (eds), The Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Iraq, Boydell & Brewer, 2008, p. 29

Awards and recognition

At the Al Wasiti Festival of fine arts in 1972, al-Droubi was one of the four artists honored by the state.Siba Aldabbagh, "From Yahya Alwasiti to Hafidh Aldroubi to Rafa Alnasira: Building Bridges," Contemporary Practice Art Journal, Vol. XI, pp 74-77, Online:

Hafidh al-Droubi

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