Discover amazing artists at Bedayat: Beginnings of the Saudi Art Movement.
Saudi Arabia has a rich and evolving art scene. While it may not yet be widely recognised internationally, the roots of the Kingdom’s cultural landscape are both deep and fascinating. Bedayat: Beginnings of the Saudi Art Movement offers visitors the opportunity to explore the pioneering artists who helped shape this creative heritage. Running until 11 April 2026 at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, the exhibition sheds light on a transformative period in the country’s artistic development.
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, explains: “Beginnings showcases a pivotal phase in the development of modern Saudi art, combining artworks and archival materials to present a comprehensive picture of the creative achievements of the artists, pioneers and supporters who contributed to establishing the art movement within the Kingdom.” Beyond the exhibition itself, visitors can also attend workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions.
The Saudi Mona Lisa
Fahad Alrubaiq is the artist behind The Saudi Mona Lisa – yes, that is its actual name. Born in Diriyah, he painted it in 1975. The young girl’s gaze appears to follow the viewer, prompting comparisons with Leonardo da Vinci’s original Mona Lisa, which continues to draw millions of visitors to the Louvre in Paris. The story comes full circle in 2017, as Salvator Mundi, also attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and often described as the male counterpart to the Mona Lisa, was sold for a record-breaking $450.3 million to a proxy buyer for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The painting is expected to be displayed in a future museum in Saudi Arabia, and it part of the country’s aim to attract more tourists.
The Gate to Mecca
The Gate to Mecca was designed by Egyptian artist Dia Aziz Dia, who was born in Cairo and later worked as a teacher in Jeddah. Created in 1985, the monumental structure is passed by millions each year. Its X-shaped design features an image of the Qur’an at the top and incorporates a light symbolising hope and peace. Visitors to Bedayat: Beginnings of the Saudi Art Movement can explore the origin of the work and view the original design sketches.
Khaleel Hassan Khaleel
The Saudi artist Khaleel Hassan Khaleel has been compared to Salvador Dalí. Having taught art in Jizan, he later developed his own distinctive style, which he termed Dreamism. His works often begin with realistic scenes that gradually dissolve into ethereal imagery. This approach established his unique visual language, blending observable reality with dreamlike juxtapositions. The exhibition includes his work, The Broken Mirror, which features the image of a man and a watch fragmented across shattered glass, with each shard offering a different perspective.
Mounirah Mosly
A dedicated section of the exhibition highlights the contributions of female artists in Saudi Arabia. Mounirah Mosly was born in the Kingdom and later studied in Cairo and the United States. In 1968, she participated in a joint exhibition with other female artists in her hometown. In 1973, she became the first woman to hold a solo exhibition in Riyadh. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the breadth of her work, spanning graphic design, painting and beyond.
Safeya Binzagr
Safeya Binzagr, a pioneer of Saudi Arabia’s art scene, remains one of the Kingdom’s most celebrated artists. Most of her works are housed in the museum she founded near Jeddah. Bedayat: Beginnings of the Saudi Art Movement offers a rare chance to see her work in Riyadh. In 1968, she also participated in a joint exhibition with other female artists. In 2000, she opened Darat Safeya Binzagr, becoming the only artist in Saudi Arabia to establish a museum dedicated to her own work. And, in 2025, her work, Coffee Shop on Madina Road, hit the headlines, as it was sold in an auction and fetched more than a Pablo Picasso.
GO: Visit https://visualarts.moc.gov.sa/en/Initiatives/Bedayat for more information.