Artwork
Three Paintings of a Muleteer (1)
Three Paintings of a Muleteer (1) 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, *Three Paintings of a Muleteer (1)* is a watercolor portrait by Lebanese artist Moustafa Farroukh. The work presents a solitary figure from the chest upward, set against a muted beige field that isolates the subject. It belongs to the collection of the Sursong Museum in Beirut and exemplifies Farroukh’s extensive output during the mid‑twentieth century.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a moustached man wearing a white shirt and a traditional turban, his head slightly turned to the right. His expression is sober, conveying a quiet dignity that suggests contemplation rather than narrative action. By limiting the view to the upper body, the artist invites close observation of the individual’s character and attire.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the painting employs translucent washes that soften the features and lend a subtle atmospheric quality. The light beige background functions as a neutral plane, allowing the delicate tonal variations of the figure’s skin, fabric, and turban to emerge without distraction. Fine brushwork captures the texture of the moustache and the folds of the shirt.
History & Provenance
Moustafa Farroukh, a leading figure in Lebanese modern art, produced more than two thousand works and authored several books, including a biography. This particular watercolor entered the Sursock Museum’s holdings, where it remains part of the institution’s representation of early twentieth‑century Lebanese painting.
Context
The portrait reflects a period when Lebanese artists were documenting everyday life and regional identities through a modern lens. Farroukh’s choice of a muleteer—a common figure in rural transport—places the work within a broader cultural effort to record local customs while employing European watercolor techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
