Hassan Massoudy (Iraqi, b.1944) is considered to be the greatest living calligrapher in the world. Born in southern Iraq, Massoudy moved to Baghdad in the early 1960s to study graphic design and Fine Art. Less than a decade later, in 1969, Massoudy moved to Paris, where he enrolled at the École des Beaux- Arts. His work is a mixture of traditional Arabic style and Western tradition, drawing inspiration from the work of Modern masters, including Henri Matisse, Pierre Soulages, and Pablo Picasso. After receiving his degree in 1975, Massoudy traveled through Europe with Arabesque, a piece that combined performance, music, poetry, and calligraphy. Peace and tolerance are central to his work, and he has partnered with Amnesty International, UNICEF, and other similar organizations. He has had numerous exhibitions around the world, including in France, Algeria, Dubai, Spain, England, and the United States.

The artist lives and works in Paris, France.