Artwork
Córdoba, the Grand Mosque's Mihrab
Córdoba, the Grand Mosque's Mihrab is a watercolor painting by Moustafa Farroukh. It dates from 1939 and is held in the collection of the Sursock Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1939, this watercolor by Lebanese painter Moustafa Farroukh portrays the mihrab and vaulted interior of the Great Mosque of Córdoba. The composition focuses on the recessed prayer niche, framed by the mosque’s characteristic arches and dense geometric ornamentation, rendered in a restrained palette that emphasizes tonal harmony over vivid contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures the mihrab, the sacred alcove that indicates the direction of Mecca for worshippers. By emphasizing its intricate arabesques and the vaulted ceiling, Farroukh highlights the spiritual centrality of the space while also drawing attention to the mathematical precision of Islamic decorative art.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the painting employs delicate washes of brown, beige and muted earth tones. Farroukh builds the complex interlacing patterns through layered glazing, allowing the paper’s translucency to convey depth. The overall approach balances detailed line work with soft tonal transitions, producing a calm, contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Moustafa Farroukh, a prominent figure in 20th‑century Lebanese art, produced over two thousand works across his career and authored several books, including a biography. This particular piece entered the collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of modern Arab art.
Context
The painting reflects Farroukh’s interest in historic Islamic architecture, a theme recurrent in his oeuvre. By selecting the Great Mosque of Córdoba—a monument that embodies the confluence of Christian and Muslim artistic traditions—he situates his work within broader dialogues about cultural heritage and identity in the Levant during the interwar period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
