ArtDayMe: The Middle East Raha Gallery Collection, which has been actively involved in cultural events for over two decades with an emphasis on supporting regional art, houses a diverse range of modernist and contemporary masterpieces by Iranian and Arab artists.

 Among these is a 54-year-old artwork by pioneering Iranian artist Hossein Zenderoudi, a notable piece from his iconic calligraphy-painting series titled “Composition”, signed “Zenderoudi 71” in the bottom right corner.

Created in 1971 (1350 SH), the work was executed in ink and gouache on paper mounted on canvas, measuring 80.5 × 64.5 cm. It was first presented at the Millon auction house in Paris in June 2013 from the collection of renowned French critic and collector Michel Tapié, one of the most important collectors of Zenderoudi’s work. It later appeared in the third Tehran Auction in June 2014.

Hossein Zenderoudi (born 1937 in Tehran), known internationally as Charles Hossein Zenderoudi, is a prominent contemporary Iranian painter. He entered the Tehran School of Fine Arts in 1956 and, at the age of 22, moved to Paris, where he won an award at the 1961 Paris Biennale and received a scholarship.

In 1972, Zenderoudi published an exquisite Quran with colored illustrations through Club du Livre in Paris, which received the UNESCO award for “Most Beautiful Book of the International Book Year.” The British Museum held a tribute exhibition in his honor in May 2013.

At he fourth international Christie’s auction in Dubai (May 2008), Zenderoudi’s “Chahar Bagh” sold for $1.6 million—one of the most significant sales for a Middle Eastern artist.

The beautiful “Composition” piece in Raha Gallery’s collection at first appears abstract and subjectless. However, upon closer inspection, rows of elongated, curved forms emerge, creating a sense of visual rhythm and repetition. This may reference visual traditions of Islamic art such as miniature painting, calligraphy, and geometric patterns. The use of curved and flowing lines suggests movement, vitality, and life.

The technique of ink and gouache on paper mounted on canvas results in high contrast and strong lines. The gouache’s thick, matte colors form a uniform, non-transparent surface. The piece has an internal harmony and rhythmic order. Repeating curved forms resembling waves or elongated Persian calligraphy create a calming, melodic flow. The composition guides the viewer’s eye continuously—never allowing it to settle—making the artwork feel alive and in motion.

The warm color scheme—yellows, oranges, browns, and earthy tones—punctuated by black, olive green, and small accents of white, evokes a sense of connection to nature and tradition. The contrast between warm colors and black lines enhances the strength and stability of the piece.

According to the catalog of the third Tehran Auction:

"In this work, unlike most of his other pieces, the artist repeats a single letter without intervention or complexity. Despite the bold repetition of this grand, confessional, and colorful letter, the viewer doesn’t feel overwhelmed by its scale but is instead captivated by an engaging order. The traces of the pen and the firm, unpolished quality of the letters convey a sense of freedom and release. Zenderoudi here, rather than adhering to the rules of calligraphy, truly engages in painting—setting his work apart from the later calligraphy-painting movements. His approach, born from a desire to paint, subverts aesthetic boundaries of traditional script and presents a deeply personal vision of beauty.”

In the early 1980s, Zenderoudi’s work began to explore the aesthetic appeal of monumental letters. This particular piece is considered a key work from his transitional period leading to the famous “Chahar Barg” (Four Leaves) series.

This work once belonged to prominent French critic and collector Michel Tapié and was presented at the Millon Paris auction house on June 12, 2013.

Works by Charles Hossein Zenderoudi are held in major private and public collections around the world, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the British Museum in London, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

This artwork belongs to the Raha Gallery Middle East Collection.