Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Mahmoud Mokhtar (10 May 1891 – 28 March 1934) was an Egyptian sculptor.
Life and Career
Mahmoud Mokhtar was an Egyptian sculptor and artist who was born on 10 May 1891, in Tanbara, a small village in the Nile Delta. Mokhtar’s family were peasants, but they recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue an education in art. He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Cairo and later continued his education in Rome and Paris.
Mokhtar’s career began in the 1920s when he returned to Egypt after completing his studies in Europe. He became an influential figure in the development of modern Egyptian art, and his work combined traditional Egyptian motifs and themes with contemporary Western techniques. Mokhtar’s sculptures often depicted Egyptian peasants and workers, and he is known for his realistic and sensitive portrayal of the human form.
Mokhtar’s most famous works include his statue of Saad Zaghloul, a prominent Egyptian nationalist leader, and his bronze statue of Ramses II, which stands in front of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. He also created a number of works in collaboration with other artists, including the bas-reliefs on the facade of the Cairo Opera House.
Mahmoud Mokhtar died on 28 March 1934, in Cairo, at the age of 42. He was buried in the Islamic cemetery in Cairo.
Award and Legacy
Mokhtar won several awards during his lifetime, including a Gold Medal at the Annual Exhibition at Le Grand Palais in 1929 and a Prize at The Salon de Paris in 1925 .
Mahmoud Mokhtar is considered one of the most important Egyptian artists of the 20th century, and his work had a significant influence on the development of modern Egyptian art. His sculptures are known for their realistic and emotional depictions of the human form, and they continue to inspire and influence artists in Egypt and around the world.
On 10 May 2012, Google celebrated Mahmoud Mokhtar’s 121st Birthday with a doodle.
FAQ on Mahmoud Mokhtar
Mahmoud Mokhtar was an Egyptian sculptor and artist known for his realistic and emotional depictions of the human form. He is considered one of the most important Egyptian artists of the 20th century and was influential in the development of modern Egyptian art.
Some of Mahmoud Mokhtar’s most famous works include his statue of Saad Zaghloul, a prominent Egyptian nationalist leader, and his bronze statue of Ramses II, which stands in front of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Mahmoud Mokhtar’s work had a significant influence on the development of modern Egyptian art, and he is considered one of the most important Egyptian artists of the 20th century. His sculptures are known for their realistic and emotional depictions of the human form, and they continue to inspire and influence artists in Egypt and around the world.