14 Facts About Amy Nimr

Amy Nimr, known as Amy Smart, was an Egyptian-born artist, writer and patron of the arts.

Amy Nimr is known for her association with the Cairo-based Art and Liberty Group.

Amy Nimr was born in Cairo to an upper-class family.

Amy Nimr's official birth record states that she was born in 1907 but many believe it is more likely that she was born on 9 August 1898.

Amy Nimr's father was a famous "media mogul" who, in 1879 with his partner, founded the scientific and literary periodical al-Muqataf.

Amy Nimr spent her time between Egypt, France and England.

Amy Nimr attended the Cheltenham Ladies' College then later attended the Slade School of Fine Art in London from 1916 to 1920.

Amy Nimr was a student in the post-impressionist painter Walter Sickert's workshop.

In Europe, Amy Nimr first exhibited in Paris at the Salon d'Automne of 1925 and had her first solo exhibition at the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery in 1926.

Amy Nimr's work caught the attention of Mahmoud Sa'id, one of the most prominent figures of Egyptian modern art, and Jean Moscatelli, one of the founding members of the Art and Liberty Group.

Amy Nimr hosted salons in her home for artists to exhibit their work and helped many of them financially by commissioning their work.

Amy Nimr painted still lifes, religious scenes and images of Egypt's Jewish community.

Amy Nimr took a break from painting but when she returned to it, her paintings consisted of corpses, skeletons, disfigured bodies.

Amy Nimr was the only Egyptian surrealist to contribute to the journal.