Fikret Mualla Saygı was born in Istanbul in 1903. He initially studied at Saint Joseph French School and later spent some time at Galatasaray High School. Sent to Germany to pursue engineering education, Mualla traveled through various German cities and visited Switzerland and Italy, exploring museums and realizing his talent for painting. Quickly acquiring a strong knowledge of drawing, he produced successful paintings, fashion drawings, and engravings, with his designs published in prominent German magazines of the time. In 1928, Mualla underwent hospital treatment for alcohol-related issues. He later moved from Germany to France, residing in artistic circles in Paris, including Montparnasse and Saint Germain. In Paris, he met Hale Asaf, who worked in André Lhote's studio. Despite constant painting in Paris, Mualla returned to Turkey due to financial difficulties. To make a living, he briefly worked as a painting teacher at Ayvalık Middle School after his appointment in 1934, but he resigned shortly thereafter. In Istanbul, he designed costumes for operettas such as "Lüküs Hayat," "Deli Dolu," and "Saz Caz." He illustrated Nâzım Hikmet's poetry book "Varan 3" and created drawings for the Yeni Adam magazine, edited by Ismail Hakkı Baltacıoğlu. Upon inheriting a share of his father's estate, Mualla believed he could sustain his life in Paris. In 1939, he left Turkey and, at Abidin Dino's request for the International New York Fair Turkish Pavilion, painted around thirty works with the theme "Istanbul." He also contributed drawings for Ses magazine in 1938. During this period, he wrote and published two stories, "Masal" and "Üsera Karargâhı," in Ses. Fikret Mualla's life and artistic career reflect his journey from Istanbul to Germany, France, and back to Turkey, showcasing his diverse talents in painting, drawing, costume design, and storytelling
