Jamil Molaeb

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner in 2011

This work is in very good condition. There is some minor wear to the lower corners of the painting. The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although it fails to convey the rich texture of the composition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In Arab Village II, Jamil Moaleb references his personal attachment to his native village, Baysour, southeast of Beirut, illustrating visions of his cultural heritage and roots. This nostalgic reminiscence of childhood scenery is impregnated by the smells of its habitat, the sand, sea and earth; emphasizing the importance of village traditions, nature and harvest. Molaeb, a master of color and line, employs traditional techniques to develop his depictions: he seperates each canvas into organized layers, derived from preparatory studies which provide a clear structure to guide his oil brushwork. Arab Village II, depicted in monochrome, reveals a multitude of emotions and contemplations. Rendered flat and void of spatial perspective, the artist accentuates nature’s eternal and boundless quality, whilst the haphazard spacing and lack of precision celebrate the organic diversity of natural surroundings untouched or perfected by technology. Instead of a consumerist society that revels in the cloned mass production gradually erasing the unique assets of each culture and its individuals, Molaeb’s works support and suggest a creative process, where all involved and each component have a significant role to fulfil and be celebrated for.