January 18, 2022
Cairo has recently witnessed the re-opening of another museum to the public, the Mohamed Mahmud Khalil Museum for Art.
The museum is an Art Nouveau palace built in 1915 overlooking the Nile and houses an impressive collection of art by such artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Auguste Rodin, Paul Gauguin, Pierre-Auguste Renor, Peter Paul Rubens, Berthe Morisot.
The collections spans from exquisite paintings to sculptures, vases, tea sets, and unique items from France, China, Iran, and Japan.
Mohammed Mahmoud Khalil (1877-1953) was an Egyptian politician and held positions including the president of the Egyptian Senate, minister of agriculture, & co-founded the Society Fine Arts Lovers. Khalil and his wife Emilienne Luce were avid collectors and shared a passion for art. Mrs. Khalil donated the palace and its collection to the Egyptian government after she passed away.
The museum was first open in 1962. It closed in 2010 for much needed renovation work until its recent opening.
Casimira Heflin
