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George Bahgory (Egypt, born 1932) Enta Omry image 1

George Bahgory (Egypt, born 1932) Enta Omry image 2

Lot 47^*

George Bahgory
(Egypt, born 1932)
Enta Omry

Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art

13 November 2024, 14:00 GMT

London, New Bond Street

£40,000 - £60,000

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George Bahgory (Egypt, born 1932)

Enta Omry
oil on canvas, framed
signed "Bahgory" in Arabic and English (upper right), executed in 2021
148 x 198cm (58 1/4 x 77 15/16in).

Footnotes

Provenance:
Property from a private collection, Cairo

George Bahgory's Enta Omry is a vibrant and dynamic tribute to the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. The large-scale painting, with its radiant hues of orange, red, blue, and pink, captures the essence of music through a bold interplay of colours. Bahgory's signature style is on full display here, filled with crowded scenes that evoke the bustling life of Cairo. There is an undeniable energy in this piece, where chaos and vitality coexist in harmony, reflecting the urban commotion that Bahgory so often celebrates in his work.

In Enta Omry, Bahgory offers a visual representation of song and rhythm, the movement and emotion of music encapsulated in brushstrokes. The central figure, a powerful female presence, likely symbolizes Umm Kulthum herself, depicted in mid-performance with a wide mouth as if belting out a song. Around her, musicians and an audience seem to blend into a swirling mass of energy, embodying the hypnotic effect of her voice on her listeners. The composition reflects Bahgory's fascination with crowded, lively scenes, invoking the spirit of Egypt's cultural life.

Umm Kulthum, the "Star of the East," was one of the most iconic singers in the Arab world, with a career that spanned over five decades. Born in a rural Egyptian village in 1898, she rose to prominence in Cairo's thriving music scene during the 1920s and became a symbol of national pride. Known for her deep voice and emotional performances, she captivated millions with songs that expressed love, longing, and patriotism. Enta Omry (translated as "You Are My Life") was one of her most beloved songs, a timeless classic that continues to resonate across generations.

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- Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art