Lot 514: Untitled

Untitled india ink on cardboard, framed signed "A.ELGAZZAR 1961" in English (bottom left), executed in 1961 31 x 29cm (12 3/16 x 11 7/16in).

196131x 29cm

: Property from a private collection, Lebanon

Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Khan Al Maghraby Gallery, with authentication provided by Hassan A Fatah, Professor of the faculty of fine Arts, Cairo "Al Gazzar mixed with the inhabitants of his area. He closely watched the behaviour and beliefs of the dervishes, professional magicians and charlatans. He also mixed with their followers who found solace in this milieu redolent of burning incense, the blood of sacrifical animals and the murmering of prayers. He listened to myths and tales passed on from generation to generation. He was deeply attracting to myths and their legendary heroes and knew the symbols which wee nearer to the world of the absurd than to real life. He attended boisterous festivities at which votive offerings, ritual circumcision and embodied illusions were prominent features. He brought for this depth into his paintings, displaying a blend of spiritual and scientific elements. Unable to take real life by the horns, the weak and oppressed turn to supernatural powers in the hope that they will fulfil their wishes, vanquish their foes or predict what lies in store for them. These beliefs, inherited from their ancestors, re-appeared at exorcism sessions, moulids, shrines of saintly men and at the séances conducted by charlatans. By recording these elements, Gazzar addresses elements of modern educated men which are oppressed within them, or those they are at pains to hide. We are all fatalistic and metaphysical to some extent, regardless of the degrees of our culture, faith and attachment to science. With an effective technique, Gazzar exposed the spiritual legacy bequeathed by his ancestors in a tragic fashion, unmasking listlessness and lethargy which shrouded life at his time" – Dr Sobhy Sharouny