Mahmoud Hammad (Syria, 1923-1988) was a foundational contributor to the formation of modern art institutions in Syria. Trained in both painting and printmaking, he worked across media over the course of his career: as a painter, a printmaker, a medal engraver, and a sculptor. His knowledge of technique made him a consummate educator. From 1960 until his passing in 1988, he not only taught painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts (Kulliyat al-Funun al-Jamila) in Damascus, but also rose to become Head of the department, followed by serving as Dean of the school.
In 1967, Hammad received a UNESCO grant in recognition of his creative talents. Later in 1969, he was honored with the State Prize for Fine Arts. Collaborating with Professor Abdo Kass-hout in 1979, they secured the design competition for the The Unknown Soldier monument in Damascus, which saw its completion in 1994. His artistic creations are preserved in the National Museum of Damascus, the Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs, and can also be found in private art collections across various countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, France, Switzerland, former Yugoslavia, Russia, and the United States.