Founded in 1980 by the Royal Society of Fine Arts, the national gallery has an inspiring contemporary art collection, one of the best in the Middle East. Note the sombre works of Iraqi Jawdat Hassib, and those by Jordanians Ali Ghul, with silk inlay, and Fouad Mimi, whose portraits recall those by Egon Schiele. A separate building dedicated to temporary exhibitions is accessed through a sculpture garden with Andalusian fountain and black irises (the symbol of the country).