Moderna Museet Opened Monir Farmanfarmaian Retrospective
The international exhibition showcases nearly 100 works across a career spanning the 1970s through the 2010s.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Fine Art
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Moderna Museet has launched a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. The show brings together diverse pieces, including the mirror relief series Third Family, before touring to Madrid and The Hague.
Why it matters
This retrospective documents the evolution of an artist who blended geometric precision with intuitive artistic expression throughout her life. It provides a comprehensive view of her work, including pieces created during her decades-long exile.
The retrospective presents nearly 100 artworks created between the 1970s and 2010s. The accompanying catalogue is published in four languages, including English and Dutch.
The players
Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian
The artist lived from 1922 to 2019 and is known for combining geometric structure with traditional Iranian craftsmanship.
Moderna Museet
This Stockholm-based museum is a prominent institution focused on modern and contemporary art.
Nairy Baghramian
She is a contemporary artist and one of the seven authors contributing to the exhibition catalogue.
Asrin Haidari
She is an author who contributed to the comprehensive exhibition catalogue accompanying the retrospective.
The details
The exhibition highlights Farmanfarmaian's unique style, which incorporates mirror mosaics, calligraphic drawings, collages, and textiles. These works reflect her synthesis of mathematical precision with intuition and chance, as explored in the included exhibition catalogue featuring texts by authors such as Nairy Baghramian and Asrin Haidari.
Timeline
In 1945, the artist continued her studies in New York.
In 1957, Farmanfarmaian returned to Tehran.
In 1966, the artist visited the Shah Cheragh shrine.
In 1979, the artist began approximately 25 years of exile in New York.
In 2015, Farmanfarmaian reached her international breakthrough.
Industry Dynamics
This retrospective highlights a growing trend of major institutions documenting the careers of artists who navigated complex migration histories. By touring the show through Europe, the museums underscore the global market's increasing interest in Farmanfarmaian's geometric practice.
International audiences can view the works in Stockholm before the exhibition moves to Madrid and The Hague. The exhibition catalogue is available in four languages to accommodate global visitors.
The takeaway
The retrospective illustrates the synthesis of mathematical structure and artistic intuition in the work of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. Visitors can study her diverse medium usage, ranging from mirror reliefs to textiles, to understand her significant contribution to modern art.
Further reading
Explore more artistic career retrospectives in the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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