Golden Birds Amidst Calligraphic Patterns, 1997

Bahijah Al-Hakim (بهيجة الحكيم, also transliterated as Bahija Al-Hakim) was a prominent Iraqi painter born in 1937 and active until her passing in 2008. Renowned for her vibrant and expressive works, Al-Hakim’s artistic practice spanned painting and drawing, often reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Iraq. Her style is characterized by a blend of modernist sensibilities and motifs drawn from Mesopotamian history and Iraqi folklore, resulting in compositions that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition.

Al-Hakim’s works have been featured in significant institutional exhibitions, including displays at the Iraqi Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad, which houses several of her pieces in its permanent collection. Her contributions to the Iraqi art scene have been recognized both locally and internationally, with her paintings included in exhibitions that highlight the evolution of modern art in Iraq. In the secondary market, her works have appeared at reputable auction houses such as Christie’s, where they have attracted attention from collectors interested in Middle Eastern modernism. Al-Hakim remains a respected figure in the narrative of twentieth-century Iraqi art, celebrated for her role in shaping the country’s modern artistic identity.