12 - ‡ MAHMOUD MOUSSA (EGYPTIAN 1913-2003)

‡ MAHMOUD MOUSSA (EGYPTIAN 1913-2003) LITTLE GIRL SEATED WITH FLOWING HAIR signed M. Moussa in Arabic on the reverse posthumous cast in artificial stone height: 30cm edition 2/6 Property from a Private Collection, Alexandria The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the family of the artist Provenance Artist's studio Thence by descent to the current owner Mahmoud Moussa was a leading second-generation Egyptian sculptor whose work bridged ancient Egyptian visual traditions with modern, intimate scenes of everyday life. Born in Alexandria, Moussa began sculpting at 13 through façade decoration and marble tombstone work. He studied in evening art classes, was mentored by sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar, moving to Cairo in 1933. From 1940 onward, he focused on independent artistic production and later taught direct stone carving at Alexandria’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Moussa’s oeuvre drew inspiration from Ancient Egyptian art and aligned with the Neo-Pharaonic art movement. This kind of art involved the first generation of modern Egyptian artists merging Western artistic traditions, learned while studying in Europe, with elements from Ancient Egypt in order to rethink its aesthetic and form a new national style. Mahmoud Moukhtar, together with other artists like Mohamed Naghi (1888-1956) and Mahmoud Said (1897-1964), laid the groundwork for the Neo-Pharaonic aesthetic in the 1920s. In the constant search of the true representation of Egypt, they intermingled the iconography of Ancient Egypt with realist representations of contemporary rurality. The peasant figure became a pivotal subject in this search, since it was perceived as impermeable to change over time. It embodied the modern idea of connecting the past with the present. Using materials like granite, marble, gypsum, clay, terracotta wood and artificial stone, Moussa's sculptures are known for their compact forms, restrained expressiveness, and influences from ancient Egyptian techniques. His recurring subjects include families, children, farmers, cats, goats, and other aspects of folk and domestic life. Moussa received major recognition, including a Ministry of Culture sabbatical grant, first prize in the Egyptian section of the 1963 Alexandria Biennale, and a prize at the 2001 Aswan International Symposium. He represented Egypt internationally, including at the Venice Biennale, and created prominent public works in Egypt, Italy, and former Yugoslavia. His work is held by institutions in Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, and the UAE, and has been sold through Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams.