Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum

Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum | Egypt Tour Packages

Location : Giza

Type : Sightseeing

time spent : one hour
Hagar Asal

Department of Civilization and History

Created: 20/03/2024 Last Update: 20/03/2024

Khalil Museum

Khalil Museum was created out of love by an Egyptian politician and his French wife who shared a passion for art. They collected a large number of Impressionist artworks over the years and displayed them in their palace by the Nile. Mahmoud Khalil and his wife bought the palace in 1915 as their home, never imagining it would one day be a haven for art enthusiasts.


Who Was Mahmoud Khalil?

Who Was Mahmoud Khalil?
Mahmoud Khalil was a prominent figure known for his passion for art and his extensive collection of valuable items. In addition to being a politician who served as a minister and a member of the Egyptian parliament, Khalil was a key supporter of youth arts and a leader of a fine arts lovers association. He played a crucial role in promoting artistic and cultural exchange between Egypt and France, receiving the highest French medals and honors for his efforts.




Van Gogh poppy flowers

Mahmoud Khalil Museum was not well-known to most Egyptians and tourists, except for a few art enthusiasts who would occasionally visit. However, all of a sudden, the museum gained a lot of attention. But this time, it wasn't because of the artworks it displayed, but rather due to the strange and mysterious disappearance of a famous painting called "Poppy Flower" by Vincent van Gogh. The painting "Poppy Flower" or "Vase and Flowers" was created by Van Gogh in 1887, three years before his death, painted with oil colors on a piece of cloth. The painting depicts beautiful yellow and red poppy flowers in an exquisite vase. Its estimated value is around $55 million US dollars. This renowned painting vanished under mysterious circumstances from the Mahmoud Khalil Museum on August 23, 2010. As a result, a state of emergency was declared in all Egyptian airports and art establishments. In a press conference held on the same day, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, Farouq Hosny, announced that the painting had been stolen from the museum. Eventually, the painting was recovered. Several Egyptian government officials, including Abdel Kader Shaalan


Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum

The museum owned by Mahmoud Khalil and his wife is filled with rare paintings and artwork, making it a valuable treasure trove of Egyptian art. Mahmoud Khalil's personal collection is considered one of the largest art collections in Egypt and the Middle East, showcasing important modern art. The museum has artworks displayed on the ground floor and second floor, while the underground floor is used for administrative purposes and houses a library, information center, and discussion hall. In addition to paintings, the museum also houses collections of vases, gems such as emeralds, crystal works, and carmen works created by Chinese artists. There is also a stunning collection of bronze, marble, and plaster statues, including modern Egyptian artists' Pharaonic sculptures. The museum is home to artwork from leaders of the impressionist school of art, such as Dega's painting "Toulouse-Lautrec," as well as works by the French Romantic artist Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix. It also features numerous artworks from the Orient, including Frumentan, Preshide, and Gabriel Piesy.


Mohamed Khalil Museum

There are rare vases made of French "Sefeir" and others made by Chinese, Turkish, and Iranian artists. Chinese artists skillfully created a selection of jewels made of emeralds, Krihtemal, and red coral. The museum also houses remarkable statues by famous artists like Auguste Rodin, the renowned French sculptor who is considered the pioneer of modern sculpture. One of his famous statues is of the French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac. The Mahmoud Khalil Museum also contains works by Bari, a famous animal statue creator, and classical portraits by Holden. Among the impressive collections in the museum are paintings and sculptures by various French artists who were prominent in the nineteenth century. This collection includes works by Huepin, Marie Cannet, Henry Platoon, Gustave Moreau, and the renowned Gogan and Van Gogh. The museum's most famous paintings include Van Gogh's "The Poppy Flower," Charles Francois' "Windmills," and Hairirty's "The Jungle."




Development of Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum

Mahmoud Khalil Museum was renovated to improve infrastructure for cultural activities and art exhibitions. A new building was added to the museum, featuring a cafe, gift shop, lecture hall, and exhibition hall. The cafe can accommodate over fifty guests and offers a variety of drinks and fast food. The exhibition hall, Ofoq, is the largest and most advanced in Egypt, with modern lighting, temperature control, and security systems.


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