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Lot Essay
MAHMOUD HAMMAD
Christie's is delighted to offer two masterpieces by the Syrian Modernist Mahmoud Hammad, known to be the first Syrian artist to incorporate Arabic calligraphy into his modern works. His painting Lakad Daa Shiiri Ala Babikom (lot 53 in the present sale) is an exceptional example from the 1960s, with a calligraphy inspired by a verse by Abu Nuwas, one of the greatest classical poets from the Arab World. The verse is extracted from a poem about love and poetry and the artist has used primary colours as well as a textured and neutral toned background to display the calligraphy.
The second work by Mahmoud Hammad is a five panelled work entitled Rythme Bleu - mauve en 5 temps, an outstanding abstract and cubist composition. The panels depict a series of rectangular and cubic planes in hues of blue and purple. Once assembled, the panels become a geometrical composition that may be interpreted as a still-life or rather an exceptionally abstracted calligraphic work, revealing the plastic development of the artist.
Christie's is delighted to offer two masterpieces by the Syrian Modernist Mahmoud Hammad, known to be the first Syrian artist to incorporate Arabic calligraphy into his modern works. His painting Lakad Daa Shiiri Ala Babikom (lot 53 in the present sale) is an exceptional example from the 1960s, with a calligraphy inspired by a verse by Abu Nuwas, one of the greatest classical poets from the Arab World. The verse is extracted from a poem about love and poetry and the artist has used primary colours as well as a textured and neutral toned background to display the calligraphy.
The second work by Mahmoud Hammad is a five panelled work entitled Rythme Bleu - mauve en 5 temps, an outstanding abstract and cubist composition. The panels depict a series of rectangular and cubic planes in hues of blue and purple. Once assembled, the panels become a geometrical composition that may be interpreted as a still-life or rather an exceptionally abstracted calligraphic work, revealing the plastic development of the artist.