Seif Wanly (Egyptian, 1906 - 1979)
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Notes : A masterpiece by Seif Wanly, one of the most innovative Egyptian painters of the mid 20th century, Queen as painted in 1961, two years after the death of his brother Adham. There are strong overtones of melancholy in this work, with subdued colours and atmospheric lighting quite different from his earlier work.In 1959 along with other prominent Egyptian artists he took part in a well-documented trip to the Nubian desert, organized by Tharwat Akasha. Also on this trip was Tahia Halim, an artist for whom it marked the turning point in her career, from then on basing most of her work on the culture, colours and themes of this desert. Unlike Tahia, Seif Wanly concentrated more on the Pharaonic architecture of the area, including the Abu Simbel temple, paying particular attention to the way these monumental figures are carved into the walls of these structures. This portrait shows a lady in an almost classical contemplative pose. A figure of great beauty, the artist's model is painted in the style of a Nubian lady. The elements are carefully composed; the fanciful headdress is fanciful, the delicate white flowers in a vase, echoing the line of the bust of her dress. The result is both monumental and spontaneous. It is Seif the colourist at his best, juxtaposing dark areas with flashes of bright unmixed colours.
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