Archives and Special Collections Department, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon © 2021 Jamil Hamoudi Collection, 1917-2012 A Finding Aid to the Collection at the University Libraries, AUB Prepared by Dalya Nouh Contact information: [email protected] Webpage: www.aub.edu.lb/Libraries/asc Descriptive Summary Call No.: A: 759.1 Bib record: b25875917 Record Creator: Hamoudi, Jamil, 1921-2003. Collection Title: Jamil Hamoudi Collection, 1917-2012 Collection Dates: 1917-2012 Physical Description: Approximately 20 linear feet (59 boxes) Abstract: One of the leading figures in Iraq’s modern art movement, Jamil Hamoudi (1921 - 2003) was recognized for semi-abstract art works in which he created colorful and dynamic geometric compositions. This path earned him the title of an active member of the Hurufiyya movement ,This collection conveys the artist’s legacy through documents, negatives, photos, booklets .1(الحروفية) invitation cards, magazines, posters, etc. It highlights Hamoudi’s contributions to art, art criticism, and modern Arab art between the 1940s and the 1980s. It is a rare record of the cultural exchange between the Arab World and the West; namely, the dialogue that developed in support of the boom of modern art in the Arab region. Language(s): French, Arabic and English. Administrative Information Source: The collection of Mr. Jamil Hamoudi was donated by his daughter the artist Ishtar Hamoudi to the AUB Libraries in September 2017. Access Restrictions: The collection can be accessed within the premises of the Archives and Special Collections Department, Jafet Memorial Library, American University of Beirut. Photocopying Restriction: No photocopying restriction except for fragile material. Preferred Citation: Jamil Hamoudi Collection, 1917-2012, A: 759.1, Series no., Box no., File no., American University of Beirut/Library Archives. Compiled by: Dalya Nouh and Abeer Mudawar Scope and Content This immense collection of archival material, 20 linear feet, related to art in Iraq and the Arab world includes many documents, negatives, photos, booklets, invitation cards, magazines, posters, etc., related to Jamil Hamoudi’s achievements in abstract art, as an art critic, and in modern Arab Art during nearly four decades, from the 1940s and all the way through the 1980s. The collection is a rare record of the cultural exchange and dialogue behind the boom of modern Arab art in the region. It is of great interest to researchers concerned in visual culture, the history of modern art in Arab countries, and the pioneering role of Iraqi artists in defining a new aesthetics. It is a collection of interest also to researchers who explore and/or study the impressive exchange of art forms and styles and of cultural elements during the 20th century, in general. In addition, the collection includes stamps and postcards. The collection of postcards offers images from different Arab, Middle East and European countries. It covers archeological sites, scenes of cities, villages, and towns along with urban and rural life. The collection includes both color and black-and-white imagery. The postcards dates range between 1947 and 1987. The photo collection conveys the artist’s activities like seminars, exhibitions and lectures 1 Hurūfiyya a.k.a. the Hurufiyya movement refers to the art movement that was born in North Africa, Arab countries in Asia, and Iran, where artists mix traditional calligraphy and modern art styles and techniques that was popular throughout the 1950s and 1960s. 2 some of which were held in Iraq, Jordan and France. In addition to the above there are photos of Hamoudi at his apartment in Paris, the artist with French, Portuguese and Moroccan personalities, and his photo on a ship deck. Arrangement The Collection is arranged in seventeen series: Series I: Biographical Information, Honoring, Agendas and Personal Documents Series II: Academic Documents Series III: Activities and Works of Jamil Hamoudi Series IV: Drafts, Writings, and Translations by Jamil Hamoudi Series V: Designs and Drawings by Jamil Hamoudi Series VI: Professional Correspondence Series VII: Documents related to Ishtar, Dar Al-Fikr Al-Hadith and Inanna Gallery Series VIII: Guest Books Series IX: Catalogs, Brochures and Booklets of Exhibits Series X: Articles from Newspapers and Magazines Series XI: Miscellaneous Series XII: Books, Guides and Ephemeras Series XIII: Audiovisuals Series XIV: Ephemera, Stamps, Postcards Series XV: Photos (Boxes 48 to 54, 1941 - 1997) Series XVI: Negatives & Slides of Jamil Hamoudi, Work, Visits, and Activities Series XVII: Posters (56 Posters), 1950 – 2011 (see poster cabinet) Biographical Sketch Jamil Hamoudi (1921 - 2003) was born on the 4th of March 1921 in Baghdad, Saraj al Din, Bab al He was a prominent Iraqi artist in the Arab modern art قهوة شوكر. (Sheikh (near Shukor coffee movement. He was a leading artist in the semi-abstract art school, where the artist created colorful and dynamic geometric compositions. His works combine modern European aesthetics, particularly cubism and geometric abstraction, and elements of his own cultural heritage, creating a distinct formal language based on the spirituality of calligraphy. At the same time, he was a proficient art critic and an active member of the Hurufiyya (al-huṛ ū fīyah) movement2 and its founder. He was the first one to introduce the letter and writings in art (painting, sculpture and ceramic). He began his career in Baghdad as a self-taught sculptor working in a naturalistic style. In 1944, he began teaching of art at Dar al Mu’alemine. At the same time he attended art classes. In 1945, he graduated from the Baghdad’s Institute of Fine Arts. Two years later, he received a scholarship from the Iraqi government to continue his training in Paris. He joined the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Académie Julian, and École du Louvre. He studied ancient languages at l’Ecole du Louvre as Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, history of art and esthetique. Since his first solo exhibition in 1950, Hamoudi has exhibited his art work internationally. In France, he was a regular participant in the influential exhibitions Réalités Nouvelles, and in Iraq, and he contributed to the One Dimension group. Along with being an artist who produced sculptures, paintings, and posters, Jamil Hamoudi succeeded in several other fields. He was a founding editor of several art magazines such as al-Fikr al-Hadith (Al Fiker was the first magazine in Iraq about art and literature), Studio (was specialized in cinema) and Ishar (A 2 Ibid. 3 magazine that promotes better understanding between East and West). In Iraq, he had a leading position at the Iraqi Ministry of Guidance and the National Museum of Modern Art. He also founded and directed the Inanna Fine Arts Hall, where he organized cultural symposia and art exhibitions. He was a member Iraqi Artists Association and Syndicate. He received the Medal of Honor (Legion of Merit) from the French President Jacques Chirac. In 2001, a couple of years before he passed away, the French Ministry of Culture awarded Jamil Hamoudi the Medal of Arts and Literature and the French Medal of Honor. Hamoudi’s works are available in numerous museums and private collections around the world. Subject Headings Hamoudi, Jamil, 1924-2003. Painters -- Iraq -- 20th century. Painting, Iraqi -- 20th century. Sculpture, Iraqi -- 20th century. Artists -- Iraq -- 20th century. Iraqis -- France -- Paris. Art, Modern -- 20th century. Art, Modern -- Catalogs. Painters -- Iraq -- Exhibitions -- Catalogs. Art -- Exhibitions -- Iraq. Art -- Exhibitions -- France. Calligraphy, Arabic. Europe -- Description and travel. Arab countries -- Description and travel. حمودي، جميل، 2003-1924. الرسامون -- العراق -- القرن العشرون. التصوير الزيتي العراقي -- القرن العشرون. النحت العراقي -- القرن العشرون. الرسامون -- العراق -- معارض -- فهارس. الفن -- معارض -- فرنسا. الفن -- معارض -- العراق. الحروفية. الخط العربي. أوروبا -- وصف ورحﻻت. البلدان العربية -- وصف ورحﻻت. 4 Container List Series I Biographical Information, Honoring, and Personal Documents Box 1: Personal Documents File Business and Greeting Cards 1: - جميل حمودي معاون امين المتحف العراقي Business ‐ Jamil Hamoudi conservateur عضو المجمع اﻻسيوي في باريس رئيس Cards adjoint du Musee Irakien تحرير ومدير مجلة أشتار ‐ Galerie Maeght ‐ Renner – Hotel pension ‐ Sumer restaurant, Baghdad Greeting ‐ De Claude Cards ‐ Mr. et Mme. Raymond Bayer [Raymond Bayer was a French philosopher and teaches at La Sorbonne. Raymond Bayer and Étienne Souriau (French philosopher founder of the Revue d Esthetique and Jamil Hamoudi’s teacher at La Sorbonne)]. ‐ De Zadkine (May, 1949) [Russian born and French naturalized sculptor, a good friend of Jamil Hamoudi] ‐ De Lancelot (Ney, 1954) [Hungarian artist, living in France, a good friend of Jamil Hamoudi] ‐ Keou Nishimura: Avec nos meilleurs souhaits pour 1958 [Japanese painter living in France, a good friend of Jamil Hamoudi] ‐ Lancelot Ney (László Ney, Hungarian graphic artist) (Paris, 1960) ‐ Wedding Invitation card (Marriage of Pierre Schoulmann and Juliette Taiocchi) (March 3, 1967) ‐ De Paulette (1970-71) ‐ Directeur du Centre culturel Français (1975) ‐ De Jamil Hamoudi à Ishtar et Issam (le mari d Ishtar sa fille), (Bagdad 24/12/1981) (Français-Arabe) ‐ De Paul Soucasse, 1986 [Paul Soucasse directeur de la Banque France- Pays-Bas et l’un de meilleurs amis de Jamil Hamoudi]. ‐ De Margaret Siranval 14/1/1986 ‐ من حسين عباس، طرابلس 1997/1/2 File 2 Biographical information Curriculum Vitae of Jamil Hamoudi &