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The Iraqi painter and sculptor Nouri Al Rawi was often inspired by the rural settings of Rawa, Ambar Province, where he was born, and this work on sale today harks back to those domestic scenes. Snow-white buildings, a common sight in his birthplace, complete with domed or flat roofs and arched doors, are edged with greenery and dotted with rocks in this beautifully composed set-up, pitted against a vibrant, multi-coloured sky. The buildings inch upwards, suggesting hills and height, while the darker-shaded backdrop hints at rolling verdure beyond. The landscape is devoid of people and yet there is a sense that this is a village full of activity; one that will spring to life when the time dictates.

Born in 1925, Al Rawi was a trained teacher who went on to graduate from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad 1959. He travelled abroad, having gained scholarships to further his studies in Yugoslavia and Portugal. Aside from carving a niche as a well-known and prolific painter and sculptor, Al Rawi played a key role in developing the Iraqi modern art movement, co-founding the Baghdad Modern Art group. He led a multi-pronged professional life as an art critic, author, broadcaster and art administrator. Al Rawi also helped to set up Baghdad’s National Museum of Modern Art, serving as its first director and helping to acquire many of the works that formed the backbone of its collection. He died in Baghdad in 2014.