KHALIFA CHELTOUT

Tunisian painter-engraver — a tender gaze between tradition and modernity

Born in 1939 in Mahârès, in the governorate of Sfax, Khalifa Cheltout stands out as a sensitive figure in contemporary Tunisian art. Autodidactic at heart, he trained himself to see and feel, shaping his pictorial universe with delicacy and precision.

A recognized painter, engraver, and photographer, Cheltout long resided near Tunis, where he established his studio — an intimate and inspired creative space shared with his artist wife, just a few kilometers from the capital.

His work has been highlighted in numerous sales and exhibitions: the piece Femmes chez le sage (1994), executed in acrylic on canvas — a delicate and evocative representation of femininity, signature of his art.

Although he may not have gained major international recognition, his local engagement and presence in the Tunisian art scene have earned him a respected place among artists connected to the École de Tunis.