The story of a building on Madabegh Street that played a pivotal role in Egypt’s nascent art scene. Built by a French entrepreneur and eventual home to Egypt’s first art society and to the era’s most important antiquities dealer, it stands witness to the birth of the modern art movement in Egypt.

Although grounded in French method and theory, the École des beaux-arts was essentially Egyptian in philosophy. Over its history, it has nurtured many generations of talented artists who have succeeded in blending international training with Egyptian tradition and heritage.

The first generation of modern artists blended European fine arts with Egyptian themes and traditional techniques. Currently enjoying revived interest, they succeeded in reflecting the cultural renaissance of their time and created a fertile environment for successive generations of artists.