bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2026 LUXURY 58 The Luxury of Art Bahrain’s RAK Art Foundation offers a personal perspective on art and collecting, revealing how heritage, craftsmanship and cultural patronage shape a distinctive experience of luxury. Some luxuries can’t be bought. They are found in heritage, craftsmanship, spaces rich with stories and the privilege of experiencing art in an environment that feels entirely personal. In Bahrain, the RAK Art Foundation brings all of these elements together, offering a rare glimpse into the world of art, collecting and cultural patronage. Located in Riffa, the Foundation holds deep personal significance. It is housed in the childhood home of its founder, Bahraini artist and collector Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, whose lifelong passion for art has evolved into an impressive collection and a platform dedicated to supporting artistic expression in Bahrain and beyond. The story began decades ago, when Shaikh Rashid acquired his first artwork while studying in the United Kingdom: a print by the celebrated British sculptor Henry Moore. That first acquisition grew into a remarkable collection of hundreds of international works spanning fine and decorative art, photography, furniture and design. Today, the home itself is as captivating as the collection it houses. Dating back to the 1920s, the original residence retains elements of traditional Bahraini architecture, including its historic walls, colonnades and traces of intricate gypsum work. These coexist with contemporary interventions, most notably a striking white-cube gallery added in 2020. The result is an architectural dialogue between generations: traditional Bahrain and contemporary international art sharing the same space. An international perspective And what a collection it is. The Foundation brings together an extraordinary roster of international and regional artists, reflecting
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