Artwork
Portrait of Sheikh Mustafa Al-Ghalayini (1885 - 1944)
Portrait of Sheikh Mustafa Al-Ghalayini (1885 - 1944) 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 painter Moustafa Farroukh, this oil portrait presents Sheikh Mustafa Al‑Ghalayini, a noted Lebanese scholar. The work is part of the Sursock Museum’s collection and exemplifies Farroukh’s engagement with Orientalist visual language.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in traditional attire—a white thawb and turban—combined with modern elements such as round spectacles and a bow tie. His direct gaze and subtly furrowed brows convey a solemn, scholarly presence, emphasizing his intellectual stature.
Technique & Style
Farroukh employs chiaroscuro, using a dark background to isolate the figure and accentuate facial features. The contrast between the illuminated face and the surrounding shadows creates depth, while the precise rendering of textures—fabric, glass, and skin—reflects his academic training.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the Sursock Museum’s holdings after being acquired from the artist’s estate. Farroukh, prolific with over two thousand paintings and several published works, placed this piece among his numerous portraits of prominent Lebanese figures.
Context
Situated within the broader Orientalist movement, the painting merges local Lebanese identity with Western portrait conventions. Farroukh’s choice to depict Al‑Ghalayini in both traditional and contemporary dress mirrors the cultural negotiations of early‑20th‑century Lebanon.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
