Art Galleries in Lebanon: From Modern to Contemporary

Beirut has long been a regional art capital. Galleries cluster in Saifi Village, Mar Mikhael, Hamra, and Achrafieh, with several established names (Saleh Barakat, Sfeir-Semler, Agial) showing alongside dozens of smaller spaces.

What you will see

• Modern masters: Saliba Douaihy, Paul Guiragossian, Shafic Abboud, Etel Adnan.
• Lebanese contemporary: a new generation working in painting, sculpture, photography, and video.
• Regional artists: from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and the Gulf.
• Solo and group shows: rotating monthly.

How to visit

• Most galleries open Tuesday to Saturday afternoons.
• Entry is always free — galleries earn through sales.
• Opening nights are public; ask the gallery for invitations.
• Beirut Art Fair and Menart Fair in autumn aggregate dozens of galleries.

Buying art

• Talk to the gallerist — they will tell you about the artist and condition.
• Ask for a certificate of authenticity from the artist or estate.
• Negotiation is possible, especially on larger pieces.
• Payment plans are common (3–12 months).