Maurice Haddad was born in Basrah, Iraq, in 1937. He was the son of a respected local linguist, who worked as a translator for the British Consulate his whole life, until his retirement. He started drawing as a young boy, and in 1961, he graduated from the Baghdad Institute of Fine Art.
Maurice then began a career in teaching, lecturing in ceramics, while continuing to paint for his own enjoyment. His first private exhibition was at the age of 25 years old, with a collection of ceramic pieces and paintings in watercolour and oil.
In the late 1970s, he developed a special interest in the chemistry of porcelain, an area with little tradition in eastern countries. His passion for the subject eventually led him to France, where in 1982, he attained a higher degree from the Limoges National Institute of Art.
After spending many years in France, he missed his home country. He returned to teaching in Baghdad, where he wrote ‘The Techniques of Ceramic Art’, which became a standard text on the subject within the country. He put his new skills to use, producing a number of porcelain figures, breaking new ground within the Middle East, whilst also acting as an advisor/expert consultant, advising industrial ceramics companies within Iraq and the Middle East.
His earliest artwork had been based on the natural beauty of his birthplace, in southern Iraq. Particularly the Marshes, and their people. During the Iran — Iraq war, Maurice became prominent for his empathetic drawings depicting the battlefield. At the time, he was awarded by the Iraqi government for his artwork, as they represented the bravery of the Iraqi soldiers within the war.
Later on, and after the Gulf War, he moved and settled in Germany with his family. He became inspired by the history of ancient Mesopotamia, and successfully attempted to link aspects of their mythology, and the portrayal and perception of women, past and present, which formed a strong theme in his work.
Maurice Haddad was a loving father and husband. Many of Maurice Haddad’s paintings had the strong theme of women, for he had the utmost respect for women, and the role they play in life. He remained devoted to the world of art.
One of his last achievements was sadly only enjoyed by his family, as he unfortunately passed in 2016. It was the selling of one of his paintings, titled “the Arab Mulateer” (shown left), which was sold at the Christie’s London auction house.
It was painted in 1964, and was obtained by the American family Orin and Rita Parker, when the family worked in Iraq in the early 60s.
Notable Life Events of Maurice Haddad
• Iraqi Artist between 1937 – 2016
• Graduate of Baghdad Institute of Fine Art
• Studied and became a professor in the chemistry of porcelain from Limoges University in France, 1982
• Member of the International Association of Art
• Founding member of the Iraqi Artists Confederation
• Member of the Iraqi Impressionist Group
• Participated in numerous international exhibitions, including: Jordan, Lebanon, England, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Japan, China, and the United States of America.
• Presented his oil and watercolour works, at over 30 personal exhibitions in the Middle East, and Europe.
• Represented Iraq on many occasions at the International Galas of Art
• Many Pieces of his work have been obtained by private collectors, and collected by many museums and galleries.