Artwork
A House at Abadiyeh
A House at Abadiyeh 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
The composition balances warm earth tones of the architecture with the cooler greens of surrounding foliage, conveying a sense of calm isolation.
Created circa 1939, A House at Abadiyeh is an oil painting by Lebanese artist Moustafa Farroukh. The work presents a quiet domestic scene set against a clear blue sky, with a modest stone house, a low fence, and a partially opened gate leading to a narrow path. The composition balances warm earth tones of the architecture with the cooler greens of surrounding foliage, conveying a sense of calm isolation.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas captures a typical rural dwelling in the village of Abadiyeh, emphasizing everyday architecture, a flat‑roofed house with arched windows, a stone wall, and a gate that hints at private interior space. By focusing on ordinary elements rather than grand narratives, the painting reflects an interest in local life and the quiet dignity of ordinary surroundings.
Technique & Style
Farroukh employs a restrained palette, using chiaroscuro to model the stone and timber against the bright sky. Brushwork varies from smooth washes for the sky to more textured strokes in the foliage, creating depth without overt detail. The composition follows Orientalist still‑life conventions while maintaining a personal, observational tone.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the permanent collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut, where it has been displayed as an example of Farroukh’s prolific output, over two thousand works produced during his career. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on 20th‑century Lebanese art and the artist’s standing within that historical narrative.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
