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London’s Sloane Street Auctions is gearing up for its Summer Fine Art auction on June 12, featuring a collection of works from the late Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi, the former mayor of Jeddah known for transforming the city into an “open-air museum.” Among the standout pieces up for grabs is a bronze sculpture by Makkah-born artist Saddek Wasil, expected to fetch up to £1,000 ($1,280).

Described as having an “eclectic offering” with “extraordinary appeal,” Dr. Farsi’s collection includes works from both Middle Eastern and Western artists. One such piece is a lithograph from David Hockney’s “Swimming Pool” series, showcasing the English painter’s fascination with the American Dream symbolized by swimming pools.

Additionally, the auction will feature works by Egyptian artists Seif Wanly and Abdul Hazi El-Gazzar, both pioneers of Middle Eastern modern art. Seif Wanly’s “Dark Self” self-portrait from 1970 reflects a darker palette following his brother Adham’s death, while El-Gazzar’s “Portrait of an Italian Physician” hints at his later focus on depicting working-class individuals with nobility.

The collection also includes a silver and gilt appliqué panel of the Kiswah, the cloth covering the Kaaba in Makkah’s Great Mosque, likely a gift from King Fahd. Lastly, Mohamed Nagy’s “A Rural Landscape in France” showcases the Egyptian painter’s European influences after studying under Claude Monet in Italy.

With such a diverse and prestigious collection on offer, art enthusiasts from both the East and West are eagerly anticipating the upcoming auction at Sloane Street Auctions.