Abstract Figures in Earthy Tones, 2018

Izz al-Din Najib (1940–2023) was an Egyptian painter, art critic, and writer whose work spanned over six decades. Born on April 30, 1940, in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1962 and a postgraduate diploma in painting in 1975. Najib's artistic practice encompassed painting, art criticism, and literature, reflecting a deep engagement with Egypt's cultural heritage and contemporary issues.

Throughout his career, Najib held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in group shows both domestically and internationally, including in Iraq, Tunisia, the UAE, Kuwait, France, Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy, Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, and Bulgaria. His works are part of prestigious collections, with the Museum of Modern Art in Cairo acquiring 30 of his paintings from various periods, and the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar holding four of his pieces. In addition to his visual art, Najib authored several literary works, including short story collections such as "Aish wa Malh" (1960) and "Ayyam al-Izz" (1962), as well as novels like "Al-Musafir Khana" (1999).

Najib's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous awards, including the State Appreciation Award in Arts in 2014. He also played a significant role in cultural administration, serving as the director of various cultural centers and founding the General Administration of Traditional and Plastic Arts Centers at the Ministry of Culture. His dedication to art and culture left a lasting impact on Egypt's artistic landscape.