Farghali’s Paris

Paris, a city of equal standing to its peer Thebes, in its time…is a city of Glorious Status. just like Thebes, was the original treasure trove that contributed so richly to human achievements in the fields of arts, science, architecture, medicine, astronomy, intellectualism, philosophy, literature, music, fashion, dogma, and ethics.… so is Paris in Thebes the Egyptians created a civilization that continues till this day to inspire us as a fascinating model of grace, strength, and delicacy. More than four thousand years later, Paris manages to embody yet another civilization of astonishing contrasts. It is Paris, the city of demons and angels. Very much like the French when they first illustrated scenes of Egyptian civilization centuries ago, we Egyptians now attempt to convey on canvas the essence of everything that is Parisian: its ethereal dimension balanced by the deeply human aspect characteristic of Egyptians since ancient times. Just under two years ago, I paid a visit (not for the first time), and came into contact with, Paris–the timeless city that plays host to the majestic Egyptian obelisk which occupies a central place in the hearts and minds of all the French. These images of Paris sprang from an accumulated and cohesive mix of my own feelings and thoughts towards this city. Paris, with all its wisdom and playfulness, came to life on canvas through signs and symbolic representations drawn from its recent and distant past. Above all, I painted Paris out of a sense of melancholy that is uniquely Egyptian. This day, allow me to explore these images of Paris with you, the beholder, in a spirit of optimism that Egypt today can rise above the challenges facing it and experience a rebirth worthy of its glorious past.

The Artist