Nabil Nahas has been painting for seven decades. From his childhood in Lebanon to his career in New York, he is now presenting his latest monumental work in Venice as his country’s representative at the 2026 Contemporary Art Biennale. The artist speaks to us about his connection to the ancient civilisations of his homeland, and why he believes politicising international platforms is the wrong approach.

We also take a tour of a new exhibition exploring millennia of diverse civilisational influences on Byblos, as the Arab World Institute in Paris shines a spotlight on the Lebanese port city’s rich cultural heritage.