In a New Development in a Controversial Case, French Artist Cité Tells "Roya Misr" He Will Take Legal Action Against Maha El-Saghir

In a new twist to a case that has sparked widespread controversy in artistic circles and on social media, internationally renowned French visual artist Cité announced he will resort to legal action following the dispute surrounding a famous painting of his that was allegedly attributed to Egyptian TV host Maha El-Saghir.

In an exclusive statement to Roya Misr, Cité said: "I am prepared to take legal action against Maha El-Saghir," confirming his intention to escalate the matter with the media personality who has stirred a significant public backlash.

The Beginning of the Dispute

The case dates back to a recent appearance by Egyptian media figure Maha El-Saghir on a show hosted by Mona El-Shazly. During the episode, El-Saghir expressed her passion for visual art and presented a series of paintings she claimed were her own creations. The pieces received praise from the audience, particularly those highlighting humanitarian themes, such as women’s freedom and suffering.

Among the showcased artworks was a piece titled "I Made Myself Wings", which El-Saghir said was one of her original works. However, the painting soon sparked outrage after Danish artist Lisa Lasse Nielsen, the original creator of the work—completed in 2019—recognized it.

Accusations of Artistic Theft

In a statement posted on her Instagram account, Nielsen expressed shock at seeing her painting presented on Egyptian television, stating that El-Saghir had claimed the work as her own without permission or credit.

Nielsen wrote:

"It's wonderful to see your work displayed on a major TV show in Egypt—a country of 140 million people—but it would be better if the artist’s name was actually mentioned. Sadly, Maha El-Saghir claimed ownership of the painting 'I Made Myself Some Wings', which I painted in 2019."

She added:

"It didn’t stop there—an image of the original artwork was taken and publicly claimed as hers... That’s truly shocking."

Escalating Reactions

Following Nielsen’s statement, the controversy spread widely across social media, with many artists and activists expressing dismay at El-Saghir’s silence and the absence of any clarification or apology from her or the show's producers.

Potential Legal Action

Cité’s exclusive comments to Roya Misr have added a new dimension to the issue, especially after he revealed that he is considering legal steps to protect his artistic and intellectual property rights. He confirmed that he is currently reviewing the matter with his legal team before proceeding.