Artwork
Hanné Baking Markouk
Hanné Baking Markouk 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, *Hanné Baking Markouk* is an oil painting by Lebanese artist Moustafa Farroukh. Executed within the Orientalist tradition, the work portrays a domestic scene of a woman preparing flatbread over an open flame. The composition is anchored by a dark backdrop that heightens the warm illumination from the cooking vessels, focusing attention on the act of baking.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a seated woman, her hands shaping dough on a wooden board while a shallow pan and a smaller skillet flank her. She wears a modest headscarf and a loose shirt, her dark hair visible beneath. The painting captures a moment of quiet concentration, emphasizing the ritualistic and communal aspects of traditional bread‑making in the Levant.
Technique & Style
Farroukh employs chiaroscuro to model the forms, using strong contrasts between the deep shadows of the background and the glowing light reflected from the pans. This treatment creates a three‑dimensional effect that draws the eye toward the woman's hands and the dough. The brushwork is smooth, allowing the oil medium to render the subtle textures of fabric, wood, and fire.
History & Provenance
Moustafa Farroukh, a prolific figure in 20th‑century Lebanese art, produced over two thousand paintings and authored several texts on art. *Hanné Baking Markouk* entered the collection of the Sursock Museum, where it remains part of the institution’s permanent holdings, representing the artist’s engagement with everyday Levantine life.
Context
The painting belongs to a period when Orientalist themes were common among Middle Eastern artists seeking to document local customs amid rapid modernization. By focusing on a simple, domestic activity, Farroukh aligns with contemporary efforts to preserve cultural heritage while employing Western academic techniques such as chiaroscuro.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
