Faiq Hassan was among the pioneers of Iraqi modern art. Along with Jewad Selim and Hafidh al-Droubi, Hassan held a premier position in the development of the modern art movement in Iraq and had a major influence on succeeding generations.

Born in Baghdad, Hassan became interested in art at a young age. His talent was evident and he became the second recipient of a government scholarship to study art abroad. While studying at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Hassan was exposed to European modernism and produced copies of masterworks. When he returned to Baghdad after receiving his degree in 1938, Hassan took a position at the Institute of Fine Arts as the director of the Department of Painting and Sculpture. In this position, Hassan was able to focus on the education of young Iraqi artists, and he went to great lengths to ensure that his students had adequate equipment and instruction.