Louay Kayali

Louay Kayali was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1934 and showed an early talent for painting. He studied art at the Al-Tajhiz School and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, where he met his mentor and friend Wahbi al-Hariri. He also befriended another Syrian artist, Fateh Moudarres, and together they represented Syrian modern art at the Venice Biennial Fair. Kayali's style was influenced by expressionism and realism, and he depicted various aspects of Syrian society and culture, such as portraits, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life. He was especially known for his use of light and color, and his ability to capture the emotions and personalities of his subjects. Kayali was also a professor of fine arts at Damascus University, where he taught and inspired many young artists. He suffered from depression and died in 1978 from burns incurred from his bed catching fire, reportedly from a cigarette. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential Syrian artists of the 20th century.