Dedicated to portraying scenes of daily life through portraits and landscapes, Abdul Qadir al Rassam was a realist painter from among the first generation of Iraqi modern painters. He received his artistic training, which aligned with the European academic style, in Istanbul in 1904 while studying military science. Upon his return to Iraq, he began sharing his newfound knowledge introducing canvas painting while teaching in Baghdad. He later became an honorary member of the Society of the Friends of Art, raising interest in the arts and creating a community of like-minded artists. Al Rassam created the first large scale public work in Baghdad, which was a mural at the entrance of The Royal Cinema. He also travelled to Italy, France, Germany, and England with a desire to grow his knowledge of art. Al Rassam’s paintings were held at the Museum of Iraqi Pioneers in Baghdad and the Iraqi Museum of Modern Art until 2003 when both museums were looted and destroyed during the US military invasion. View of the Tigris is an exemplary painting of his realism, capturing a panoramic view of the historic Tigris river. The river was an essential theme in the artist’s oeuvre and here he depicts the tranquil landscape, using his signature atmospheric perspective.