Doha: Qatar Foundation has announced the launch of the world’s first museum dedicated to legendary Indian painter Maqbool Fida Husain. The “Lawh Wa Qalam: MF Husain Museum” is scheduled to open in Doha on November 28, 2025, and will celebrate the artist’s remarkable journey as a pioneer of modernist art.
The museum will cover Husain’s career from the 1950s until his passing in 2011. A major highlight will be “Seeroo fi al ardh”, his final immersive installation, a 20-minute audio-visual experience that captures his distinctive storytelling approach.
The exhibition will showcase a wide collection of his works, including paintings, films, tapestries, photography, poetry, and multimedia installations. This diverse display aims to offer visitors a deeper understanding of the influences, philosophies, and cultural inspirations that shaped Husain’s life and art.
The collection will also feature over 35 paintings commissioned by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, focusing on Arab civilisation. These works were completed shortly before the artist’s death.
The museum itself spans more than 3,000 square meters, and its architecture is based on a sketch created by Husain, symbolising his belief in blending multiple art forms.
Husain, once called the “Picasso of India,” was conferred honorary Qatari nationality in 2010. He lived between Doha and London from 2006 until his death in 2011. Officials describe the museum as both a tribute to his legacy and a recognition of his global influence.
