Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Khalil Zgaib Biography
Khalil Zgaib was a notable Lebanese painter, born in 1913 in Mount Lebanon. His life and career were a testament to the vibrant and transformative power of self-taught talent and passion for art. Zgaib's journey as an artist began far from the conventional settings of art schools and academies. By trade, he was a barber, a profession that might seem worlds apart from the fine arts. Yet, it was within this humble vocation that his artistic inclinations found their first canvas.
In 1955, Zgaib presented his first exhibition at the American University of Beirut, a significant milestone that marked the beginning of his public artistic endeavors. His work caught the attention of prominent figures, including Henri Seyrig, a French archaeologist and director of the Institut français du Proche-Orient. This recognition was a pivotal moment, propelling Zgaib into the wider art scene in Lebanon and beyond.
Zgaib's art was characterized by its naïve style, a term used to describe work by self-taught artists who demonstrate a childlike simplicity and frankness in their approach to subject and technique. His paintings often depicted rural and urban life with a charming simplicity, capturing the essence of Lebanese culture and landscapes. His work was a celebration of the everyday, infused with a sense of innocence and a directness that resonated with a wide audience.
Throughout his career, Zgaib participated in numerous exhibitions, both locally and internationally. He was a regular participant in the Salons du Printemps held at the UNESCO Palace under the patronage of the Lebanese Ministry of Culture. His contributions to the Salons d’Automne at the Sursock Museum were particularly noteworthy, where he won accolades for his work, including a prize in 1968. These salons were not just exhibitions but cultural events that provided a platform for artists to become known and to engage with the art-loving public and critics alike.
Zgaib's exhibitions were not confined to Lebanon. He presented his work in various art spaces and commercial galleries in Beirut, such as Galerie Alecco Saab, Gallery One, Salle de L’Orient, and Delta International Art Center. His international presence was marked by his participation in the São Paulo Biennial in 1967, a testament to his growing reputation beyond the borders of his home country.
Tragically, Khalil Zgaib's life and career were cut short when he was killed in 1975 during the Lebanese Civil War. Despite the untimely end to his life, his legacy lived on through his art. His works are featured in prestigious collections, including the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Sursock Museum in Beirut, the Saradar Collection in Beirut, and the Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation in Beirut.
Zgaib's contribution to Lebanese art was significant not only for the beauty and charm of his paintings but also for the way he embodied the spirit of an era. His work reflected a time when Beirut was a hub of intellectual and artistic life, attracting artists and intellectuals from across the region. The city's longstanding tradition of freedom of expression made it a fertile ground for artistic experimentation and cultural exchange.
The naïve art of Khalil Zgaib stands as a marvelous benchmark to measure the transformations of successive art movements and salons in Lebanon. His paintings, with their rural festivities and urban vignettes, offer a window into the soul of Lebanese culture. They are a celebration of life's simple pleasures, rendered with a purity of vision that continues to captivate and inspire.
Khalil Zgaib's story is one of talent, perseverance, and the transformative power of art. From the barber's chair to the walls of the world's most respected art institutions, his journey is a reminder of the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and create. His legacy endures, not only in the physical works he left behind but also in the spirit of creativity and cultural pride he championed throughout his life.
Khalil Zgaib Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
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