Artwork
Souq Al-Gharb
Souq Al-Gharb 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, *Souq Al‑Gharb* is a watercolor by Lebanese painter Moustafa Farroukh, a prolific figure of the twentieth‑century art scene. The composition presents a modest hillside dwelling with a red‑tiled roof, framed by stone pines and a low fence, beneath a sky brushed with soft clouds. The muted palette of greens, browns and grays imparts a tranquil, atmospheric tone.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a quiet moment in a western market district, emphasizing the relationship between built structures and the surrounding natural landscape. The solitary house, the protective fence, and the towering pine convey themes of shelter and continuity within a rural Lebanese setting, reflecting Farroukh’s recurring interest in the country’s terrain and everyday life.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the painting relies on layered washes and delicate glazing to achieve its luminous, dream‑like quality. Farroukh’s handling of the medium allows subtle transitions between muted hues, while the restrained brushwork defines forms without harsh outlines, creating a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective characteristic of his landscape oeuvre.
History & Provenance
*Souq Al‑Gharb* belongs to the permanent collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut, where it has been displayed as part of exhibitions highlighting Lebanese modernism. The piece remains a representative example of Farroukh’s extensive output—over two thousand works—underscoring his role in documenting Lebanon’s visual heritage during the early twentieth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
