Hafidh al-Droubi

Hafidh al-Droubi was born in Baghdad and studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome and Goldsmiths College in London. Returning to Iraq during the Second World War, he became a driving force in establishing formal art education, later serving as dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad.

In 1953, Droubi founded the Impressionists Group, bringing open-air painting and cubist geometric deconstruction to traditional scenes of old Baghdad alleyways, coffee shops, and craftsmen. His vibrant geometric compositions bridged European modernism with deep affection for Iraqi urban vernacular culture.