1924 - 2009
behjat sadr
PAINTER
Behjat Sadr was born in 1924 in Arak, Iran. From a young age, she showed a deep interest in art, which led her to pursue studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. After her graduation in 1949, she further honed her skills in Rome and then Paris, where she was deeply influenced by European modernist movements.
1967
THE KINETIC YEAR
UNTITLED, 1967 - OIL AND ALUMINIUM FOIL ON VENITIAN BLINDS SUPERIMPOSED ON OIL ON WOOD, APPROX. 150 × 100 CM.
LOCATION UNKNOWN.
Untitled, 1967 -Oil and aluminium foil on Venitian
blinds superimposed on oil on wood, 170 × 90 cm.
Private collection.
Untitled, 1967 - Oil and aluminium foil
on Venitian blinds superimposed
on oil on wood, 132 × 86 cm.
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.
1955 - 1959
THE ART INFORMALS YEARS
Untitled, 1956 -Oil on canvas, 65 × 65 cm.
Private collection.
Untitled, 1956 -Oil on canvas, 126 × 118 cm.
1980 - 2009
THE COLLAGE YEARS
UNTITLED, 1987 - OIL ON PAPER AND PHOTOGRAPH, 50 × 65 CM
COLLECTION MITRA HANANEH - GOBERVILLE, PARIS.
Untitled, 1989 - Oil on paper and photograph, 70 × 100 cm
Collection Mitra Hananeh-Goberville, Paris.
UNTITLED, 1990 - OIL ON PAPER AND PHOTOGRAPH, 35 × 50 CM
COLLECTION MITRA HANANEH-GOBERVILLE, PARIS.
Sadr’s career was marked by a pioneering spirit. In the 1950s and 1960s, she emerged as one of Iran’s first female abstract painters. Her work, characterized by bold, dynamic brushstrokes and an innovative use of materials like tar, reflected both her unique vision and the broader global trends in modern art. She participated in numerous exhibitions, both in Iran and internationally, gaining significant recognition for her contribution to modern art.
Behjat Sadr was known for her vibrant personality and dedication to her art. She lived a life deeply entrenched in the art world, often mingling with fellow artists and intellectuals. Her personal life, though private, was always secondary to her passion for painting.
1968 - 1979
THE RYTHMIC YEARS
UNTITLED, 1974 - OIL ON ALUMINIUM, 70 × 100 CM.
UNTITLED, C. 1974-1975 - OIL ON CANVAS, 80 × 128 CM.
UNTITLED, 1974 - OIL ON ZINC, 54 × 77 CM.
Untitled, 1976 -Oil on paper, 65 × 92 cm.
Behjat Sadr passed away in 2009 in Corsica, France. Her death marked the loss of a trailblazing figure in Iranian art. Sadr’s legacy lives on through her artworks, which continue to inspire and influence new generations of artists. Her pioneering role in Iranian modern art, especially as a female artist in a predominantly male field, remains a significant part of her enduring legacy.
