Celebrated Indian artist M.F. Husain has led the kind of life few can only dream about. At a time when A.I. generated art is dominating the internet, one can only longingly look back at an era where greats like Husain influenced the artistic sphere. Now a grand tribute to his life in art is going to materialize in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. The Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum is set to become the most expansive institution showcasing his life’s work. Located in Education City, Doha, and developed by Qatar Foundation, the museum spans over 3,000 square meters and will display a wide array of Husain’s creations from the 1950s until his death in 2011 according to a report by the Art Newspaper.
With sharp lines, a vivid colour palette, geometric motifs and a scenic view, the artist’s vision of an artistic archive is finally going to become a reality. The museum’s architectural design is based on a sketch Husain made in 2008, titled “M.F. Husain Art and Cinema Museum.” The drawing, signed and dated “30.VIII.008,” features abstract forms in deep blue and a tall, white cylindrical tower reminiscent of a minaret. According to a report by Architectural Digest, Architect Martand Khosla, founder of Romi Khosla Design Associates in New Delhi, translated Husain’s vision into reality. Khosla, who also designed the M. F. Husain Art Gallery at Jamia Millia Islamia, ensured that the building itself would feel like an extension of Husain’s artistic imagination.
A grand homage for one of India’s finest artists
The museum will house a permanent collection that includes paintings, films, photography, poetry, installations, and other media. Among the most anticipated exhibits is Seeroo fi al ardh, Husain’s final major work completed in 2009. This installation explores the evolution of human civilization and will be displayed in a dedicated gallery with immersive technology. According to The National, this piece was one of Husain’s most ambitious undertakings in Qatar.
A significant portion of the museum will be devoted to a series of paintings commissioned by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. These works, inspired by Arab civilization, were created by Husain during his final years. He completed more than 35 pieces before his death, and they will be prominently featured in the museum’s galleries. This detail was confirmed in a statement released by Qatar Foundation.
MF Husain’s controversial later life
Husain left India in 2006 following controversy surrounding his depictions of Hindu deities and Bharat Mata. Facing legal challenges and threats to his life by fringe groups, he chose self-exile and spent his remaining years between London, Dubai, and Doha. In 2010, Qatar offered him citizenship, which he accepted. However his passion for his craft never dampened, because it was during this time, that he began planning the museum, even relocating artworks from cities like Hyderabad and Faridabad to Qatar in preparation.
Kholoud M. Al-Ali, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Programming at Qatar Foundation, emphasized the importance of the museum in preserving Husain’s legacy. She described it as a place where audiences can engage with the artist’s life and work across cultures. According to Travel and Leisure, she said about the artist, “Maqbool Fida Husain was one of the world’s most legendary modernists, an artist whose vision emerged from and resonated across different cultures, including here in Qatar, where he lived and practised during his life.”
The museum also contributes to Qatar Foundation’s growing public art portfolio, which already includes over 100 works across Education City, according to The Peninsula Qatar. Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum is expected to attract dedicated art enthusiasts, scholars, and visitors from around the world. It will open to the general public on Nov 28, 2025.