Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar (Egypt, 1925-1965) Portrait of a Friend
Provenance : Provenance: Property from the private collection of Dr Mohammad Said Farsi Thence by descent to the present owner Literature: Dr Sobhy Al Sharouny, The Collection of Dr. Mohamed Saiid Farsy 'The Egyptian Works', A Museum in a Book, 1998, illustrated Note: This work will be published in the upcoming Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar catalogue raisonne currently being prepared by Dr Hussam Rashwan and Valerie Didier in collaboration with the El-Gazzar Foundation 'El 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 sacrificial animals and the murmuring of prayers' Abdel Hadi El Gazzar was one of the most celebrated and prominent figures in Egyptian modernism. Bonhams are proud to present a rare and exquisite appearance of a painted portrait at auction together with a group of important drawings by the artist The present painting is an archetypal portrait by Gazzar, sympathetic but stern, and bordering on caricature, Gazzar captures the essence of his sitter's persona. Despite the unmistakable reference to Renaissance portraiture and a three-quarter profile, Gazzar gives the portrait not only a modern twist through his use of pale tones, but also an Egyptian character by elaborately decorating the background with friezes of folkloric Egyptian motifs Abdel Hadi El Gazzar's drawings focus on the relationship between man and nature and the hybrid forms that emanate from this union. The metamorphoses of humans into what are deemed 'liminal beings', essentially innately ambiguous life forms, is a recurring theme in the mythos of many cultures and serves not only to anchor men in the natural world but highlights the darker facets of the consciousness that are best expressed through reference to the bestial. El Gazzar saw first-hand the transformation of human into beast during his youth in Alexandria, where he recalls spending his days observing poor labourers toiling on the industrial coastlines, an experience which was both dehumanizing and disfiguring.
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Condition_report : In excellent overall condition. Very minor scuff marks in some areas of the composition only visible upon close inspection.
