The Most Important Woman in Art

When you think about priceless works of art and extensive collections from the world’s most prominent artists, you might think of Rome, Paris and London. You’ll probably think about men in monocles and ladies who lunch, but you’d be wrong. The most important person in art today? Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani of the Qatari royal family.

Spending an average of £600 million a year (over 6.6 BILLION EGP), Her Excellency is in charge of procuring art to adorn Qatar’s museums and galleries and has topped the ArtReviewer’s Power 100 list this year for her buying power and what it means for the global contemporary art scene. With Cezannes, Warhols, Lichtensteins, Bacons, Hirsts and even Picassos in her collection, it looks like Doha is quickly establishing itself as the world’s new arts capital.