Artwork
A Model
A Model is an oil painting by the Orientalist artist Moustafa Farroukh. It dates from 1939 and is held in the collection of the Sursock Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1939, *A Model* is an oil painting by Lebanese artist Moustafa Farroukh, a prominent figure in the country’s 20th‑century art scene. Executed during the mature phase of his career, the work exemplifies his engagement with Orientalist themes and is part of the permanent collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a seated woman in a green dress and black, gold‑embroidered vest, her head wrapped in a matching scarf. She rests her right elbow on the chair’s arm, chin supported by her hand, an open book lying on her lap. Her thoughtful gaze, directed just beyond the viewer, suggests quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on literacy and feminine poise within an intimate interior.
Technique & Style
Farroukh employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using contrasts of light and shadow to give the woman a three‑dimensional presence against a muted backdrop.
Farroukh employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using contrasts of light and shadow to give the woman a three‑dimensional presence against a muted backdrop. The subdued tonal field isolates the subject, while the careful rendering of fabric texture and the delicate handling of the book’s pages demonstrate his command of oil as a medium and his affinity for realistic yet atmospheric representation.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced at a time when Farroukh had already amassed a substantial oeuvre of over two thousand works and authored several books, including a personal biography. After its creation, *A Model* entered the collection of the Sursock Museum, where it remains on display, contributing to the institution’s representation of Lebanese modernism and Orientalist influences.
Context
*A Model* reflects the broader Orientalist trend that appealed to both local and European audiences in the early twentieth century, portraying everyday subjects with a sense of exotic refinement. Farroukh’s choice of a domestic, scholarly scene aligns with contemporary interests in cultural identity, education, and the nuanced portrayal of women in Middle‑Eastern society.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
