The Arabian Horse: Beauty, Nobility andLegacy on Canvas
Ali Alhawaj’s three original oil paintings explore the beauty, spirit and enduring legacy of
the Arabian horse
Before the eye follows the curve of the neck or the movement of the mane, there is a presence.
Proud, alert and unmistakable, the Arabian horse holds the viewer’s attention with an elegance that seems effortless. To paint it is to study a remarkable balance: strength within a refined frame, vitality within a graceful movement, and emotion within a dark, expressive eye.
That presence lies at the heart of three original oil paintings presented by artist Dr Ali Alhawaj at
the Gulf Forum for Fine Arts Exhibition 2026: The Rare Arabian, Majesty of the Arabian Stallion,
and The Arabian Legacy.
Held on 7–8 October at Moda Mall under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Rashid bin
Khalifa Al Khalifa, the exhibition brought together artists from across the Gulf, showcasing around 200 artworks and honoring 90 artists at its close. Within this collective celebration of creativity, Alhawaj’s paintings offered an intimate exploration of a subject deeply woven into the region’s
heritage.
For readers in Qatar, the horses portrayed will carry a particular familiarity. Many of their
features—the finely sculpted profiles, luminous eyes, arched necks and proud carriage—resemble those of the purebred Arabian horses found in Qatar. Horse lovers may recognize in these canvases the same qualities they admire in life: beauty with character, elegance with vitality, and a bearing that gives each animal its own identity.
Painted in oil on canvas, each work measures 40 × 50 centimeters. Their scale invites close
viewing, allowing the subtleties of light and expression to unfold.
In The Rare Arabian (2022), a pale horse emerges from darkness. Inspired by a stallion named
Nadeer, the painting draws the eye along the illuminated neck towards the finely shaped face. The
mane flows into the surrounding shadows, while the attentive eye gives the composition its
emotional center. There is a quiet intensity here—the feeling of encountering a horse whose
character is as compelling as its beauty.
With Majesty of the Arabian Stallion (2025), stillness gives way to movement. The raised foreleg,
lifted tail and poised head convey confidence and energy. Light traces the stallion’s form against an earthy background, revealing the relationship between muscular strength and graceful proportion. The painting holds a moment of motion in suspension, allowing the viewer to appreciate every line of the horse’s proud stance.
The Arabian Legacy (2025) brings a more reflective mood. The sweeping curve of the neck leads
towards a lowered head, creating a sense of composure and dignity. Its title opens the painting to a
larger story: generations of breeding and care, the devotion of those who preserve these horses, and the memories carried through that enduring relationship.
Together, the works move from an individual encounter to a broader sense of inheritance. One
horse draws us close through its expression; another commands attention through movement; the third invites reflection on what survives across generations.
Alhawaj’s use of light gives the collection its cohesion. Against dark and warm backgrounds, the
horses emerge with clarity, their expressions and silhouettes becoming the focus. The surrounding space allows each subject room to hold its presence.
Alongside his work in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Alhawaj’s artistic practice reflects a
sustained attention to form and detail. In these paintings, that observation becomes personal: a
way of expressing admiration for the Arabian horse and the cultural meaning it carries.
Their presentation at the Gulf Forum brought this personal vision into a shared artistic
conversation. Across different styles and subjects, the exhibition offered a meeting place for artists whose work draws upon both individual experience and collective memory.
The Arabian horse belongs naturally within that conversation. Its beauty continues to inspire, while its history gives that beauty depth. In Qatar, where purebred Arabian horses remain a source of admiration and pride, the connection is especially resonant.
Through these three original oil artworks, Alhawaj gives that connection a lasting visual form. Long after the first impression of elegance, it is the character of each horse that stays with the viewer: an attentive eye, a poised movement, a quiet dignity.
The canvas holds the image. The horse carries the story.
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