Lot 40: Untitled

Louay Kayyali (Syrian, 1934-1978) Untitled signed and dated in Arabic (lower left) oil on masonite 37¼ x 29 3/8in. (94.5 x 74.5cm.) Painted in 1984

94.5 x 74.5cm.

Private Collection, Aleppo. Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1980.

Louay Kayyali, one of Syria's most iconic Modern artists, is renowned for his portraits of people from different circles of the Syrian society. The present work is a pyramidal composition of a sitter, a large and bold sculpture-like woman. Occupying the entire canvas, the seated woman, in casual clothing typically worn at home or a casual setting, seems to be sitting in front of close family and friends. The casual dress worn by the lady therefore suggests that the sitter might have been a relative of the painter. Accordingly, as a rare example of a composition portraying a family member completed by the famous Syrian artist, the present work stands out amongst his oeuvre. The present portrait exemplifies Kayyali's use of masonite, a medium he started using from 1973 onwards, having been the only Syrian Modernist tackling this new technique. While he applied paint on some parts of the masonite to depict his figure, Kayyali left some sections bare, thus allowing the materials texture to stand out or partially filled in. Additionally, a striking and recognisable feature in Kayyali's technique is the fluid black outline that shaped his figures, which is consistent throughout his oeuvre. With the present delicate portrait of a strong and bold woman, Kayyali has memorialised the seated lady, much like how a sculpture is memorialised when it is set in stone.