Artwork
Portrait of Habib Serour
Portrait of Habib Serour is an oil painting by Moustafa Farroukh. It dates from 1939 and is held in the collection of the Sursock Museum.
About this work
Overview
Moustafa Farroukh, a prominent Lebanese painter of the twentieth century, executed the oil painting Portrait of Habib Serour circa 1939. The work forms part of his extensive output, which exceeds two thousand pieces, and today belongs to the collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents Habib Serour from the chest upward, his gaze meeting the viewer with a solemn intensity. He wears a white shirt, a dark tie, and a neatly trimmed mustache, while his thinning hair crowns a thoughtful expression that conveys a quiet, introspective mood.
Technique & Style
Farroukh employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using stark contrasts between the illuminated face and the dark brown background. This handling of light and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence, while the restrained palette and smooth brushwork reinforce the painting’s somber tone.
History & Provenance
Created around the outbreak of World War II, the portrait entered the holdings of the Sursock Museum, a key institution for Lebanese modern art. The museum’s acquisition reflects Farroukh’s standing in the national artistic canon and preserves the work for public study.
Artist & collection
Artist
Moustafa Farroukh (Arabic: مصطفى فروخ; 1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century.
