Lot 110: Romance by the Sea

Adel El-Siwi (Egyptian, b. 1952) Romance by the Sea signed in Arabic, signed 'Siwi' (lower right); signed in Arabic, signed and dated 'Siwi 2012' (centre left) acrylic and gold paint on canvas laid on board 78½ x 59in. (199.2 x 150cm.) Painted in 2012

199.2 x 150cm.

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner in February 2012.

Egyptian painter Adel El-Siwi is an artist who has remained consistently enthralled by the visual imagery of his native home. Despite immigrating to Milan for ten years, the artist remained fascinated by the legacy of Egypt's rich aesthetic and culture. He has participated in numerous exhibitions around the world and continues to travel and seek visual influences from the world around him. Romance by the Sea is a scene laced with a beautiful sense of calm. The warmth of the artist's use of colours and the closeness of his figures are evidence of an early time in his painterly career. Despite having studied medicine, this self-taught artist has the ability to craft a truly unique form of artistic expression as is evident through the grand scale of the present work. Though his paintings went on to evolve into a great exploration of still life imagery, this unusual work was from a moment of distinct artistic experimentation and thus makes it a vital part of El-Siwi's oeuvre.