Arab American Heritage Month

Born in Palestine and based in Michigan, artist Nihad Dukhan is a certified master of both Arabic and Islamic calligraphy. Although an expert in multiple script styles, Dukhan has a penchant for riqa’—while this Arabic script fell out of popularity over the last few hundred years, Dukhan believes its aesthetic suits 21st-century tastes.

In Fatiha in Riqqa’ (2023), the artist applies riqa’ to the Fatiha, the opening sura, or chapter, of the Qur’an, which followers of Islam recite during the five daily prayers.

Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with a visit to our Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery (gallery 175) to view Dukhan’s work and the work of other Arab American artists, including Wasma’a Chorbachi.

A Monet Masterpiece Now on View

A very special new addition is on view in our Monet Gallery: Water Lilies, Reflections of Weeping Willows (about 1916–19) is a large-scale work of the style that defined the last years of Monet’s career. On loan from a private collection, the painting features a deep jewel-toned color palette and captures the expressive power of the artist’s increasingly abstract later work. Don’t miss your chance to see it in a fully reimagined gallery display.