Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Amin El-Bacha Biography
Amine El Bacha, a name synonymous with the artistic tapestry of Lebanon, was born in the vibrant neighborhood of Ras Al Nabaa in Beirut in 1932. His life was steeped in creativity from the outset, as he was born into a family where art and music were not just passions but a way of life. His brother, Toufic El Bacha, was a renowned composer and musician, which naturally inclined Amine towards the arts from a very young age. He discarded the idea of becoming a musician at the age of 15, choosing instead to dedicate his life to painting, a medium through which he would later express his profound love for his country and its culture.
El Bacha's formal education in the arts began at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), where he studied from 1954 to 1957 under the tutelage of César Gemayel, Jean-Paul Khoury, and Fernando Manetti. His talent and dedication were soon recognized, and he was awarded a scholarship by the French Embassy to continue his studies in Paris. This opportunity allowed him to attend the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where he studied under Maurice Brianchon and Henri Goetz from 1960 to 1968.
The time El Bacha spent in Paris was pivotal, as it was here that he honed his signature style, an expressionist approach that drew from Cubism and Oriental art. His work was characterized by a masterful use of color, creating balanced ensembles of light-stricken hues that evoked emotion and depth. El Bacha's subjects varied widely, from rural landscapes and nature portraits to cityscapes, humans, and figureless abstract designs. Yet, regardless of the subject, his ability to combine colors and create emotions through the careful selection of hues remained a constant in his oeuvre.
El Bacha's career was marked by a restless sentiment and a formal restlessness that saw him work across various media, including painting, ceramics, tapestry, and jewelry. He also collaborated with photographer Ghassan Kitmitto, combining improvised painting on photographic prints. His love for poetry and literature was evident in his works, as he illustrated poetry collections by Alain Jouffroy, Nadia Tueni, and Leopold Sedar Senghor.
Despite his extensive travels and time spent abroad in France, Italy, and Spain, El Bacha's heart remained firmly attached to Lebanon. His works often depicted the streets, cafes, and landscapes of Beirut, capturing the essence of the city he loved so dearly. He was known for carrying an artistic diary wherever he went, painting anything that caught his eye, which allowed him to collect a vast array of views of his city.
Throughout his career, El Bacha participated in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, and received several prestigious awards. These included the Prize of the French Embassy at the Autumn Salon in Beirut (1958), the Lebanese Ministry of National Education Award (1959), and the Gold Medal of the Citta Eterna Prize in Rome (1976). His work graced the walls of modern art museums in Spain, Italy, France, several Arab countries, and many private collections.
El Bacha's paintings reflect a profound artistic experience that arises from his travels and wanderings through different cities, his time spent in cafes, watching the world go by. His work was a study of everyday life, revealing the unexpected that lurks at the heart of Oriental atmospheres and forms. His creation space transformed into a theatrical one, realistic and sometimes fantastical, where he narrated Oriental tales unbound by anything but an imagination that opened out onto childhood memories and a mysterious, poetic sensibility.
In his later years, El Bacha continued to paint, write, and draw, remaining an active member of the artistic community. He passed away in Beirut on February 5, 2019, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered in the history of modern Lebanese painting. His work, a radiant universe of colors, dreams, and realities, continues to inspire and captivate art lovers around the world.
Amin El-Bacha 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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