Moustafa Farroukh

Moustafa Farroukh (1901 – 1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Born in 1901, Moustafa Farroukh was brought up in a humble Beiruti household in Hai Al-Basta. He received encouragement and technical instruction from the Lebanese modernist Habib Serour in the artist's studio before pursuing a formal training at the Regia Accademia di Belle Arti denominati di San Luca. He graduated in 1927 and went to Paris to continue his studies and further immerse himself in the artistic trends of the era, which he did under Paul Emile Chabas and Jean Louis Forain. During his time in Europe, Farroukh displayed his works in the Parisian Salons and traveled to Spain to explore his interest in Andalusian architecture. During his long career he exhibited in venues from Paris, Venice, New York City and Beirut. Upon his return to Beirut in 1932, Farroukh established a permanent exhibition of his work in his studio, becoming a fixture in the Beiruti art scene. His work was applauded for its representation of real life in Lebanon in pictures of the country, its people and its customs. Farroukh is regarded as a pioneer, having laid the foundations for a modern arts movement in Lebanon.