Artwork
Baalbek, Temple of Bacchus (2)
Baalbek, Temple of Bacchus (2) 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 by Lebanese artist Moustafa Farroukh, this oil on canvas portrays the ancient Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek. The composition centers on a massive stone edifice, its steps ascending toward a clear blue sky, while a solitary figure stands at the foot, gazing upward. The work is part of the Sursock Museum’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents the ruins of the Roman Temple of Bacchus, emphasizing the enduring presence of Lebanon’s layered past. By placing a lone observer at the base of the staircase, Farroukh invites contemplation of history’s passage and the relationship between humanity and monumental architecture.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the artist employs a restrained palette of earthy browns and beiges for the stone, contrasted with a luminous azure sky. Loose yet precise brushwork conveys texture and depth, while the atmospheric clarity reflects the Orientalist tendency to romanticize Middle Eastern sites through a Western visual lens.
History & Provenance
Moustafa Farroukh, a prolific figure in 20th‑century Lebanese art with a catalogue exceeding two thousand pieces, painted this work during a period of heightened interest in national heritage. The canvas entered the collection of the Sursock Museum, a leading institution for Middle Eastern art, where it remains on display.
Context
The piece belongs to the broader Orientalist movement, which often depicted historic sites of the Levant for both scholarly and aesthetic purposes. Farroukh’s focus on Baalbek aligns with contemporary efforts to document and celebrate Lebanon’s archaeological landmarks amid a rapidly modernizing society.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
