The works of the painter Mahmoud Said are widely regarded as benchmarks for the first generation of Egypt’s modernist movement. The son of the former Egyptian Prime Minister Mohamed Said Pacha, Said grew up in the upper echelons of Egyptian society and received training from the Italian artists Amelia Casonato Da Forno and Arturo Zanieere. Before becoming a full-time artist in the late 1940s, Said studied at the French School of Law in Cairo and held high legal positions, first as a lawyer and later as a judge. He focused on scenes from Egyptian society, including landscapes, cityscapes, the working class, nudes, formal portraits, and religious ceremonies such as Sufi whirling. His paintings are often infused with lush hues and highlights that create a palpable depth of field. Garnering global acclaim, Said exhibited his paintings in Cairo, Paris and at several installments of the Venice Biennale.