Fahrelnissa Zeid, 1901-1991

One of the leading exponents of abstract art, Fahrelnissa Zeid was one of the first female students at the Sanayi-i Nefise (Academy of Fine Arts). Known for her abstract and lyrical compositions, Zeid’s visual language is varied and rich. Her artistic practice can be classified into certain periods: an early period of figurative compositions with spaces constructed according to the style of miniatures; a period of maturity with geometric and freely abstract works reminiscent of stained-glass surfaces; and a late period consisting mainly of portraits, in which psychological narrative comes to the fore.