Scholars and critics divide some artists’ work into periods or phases. Take Picasso, for instance, with his Early Period, Blue Period, Rose Period, African Period, and Cubist Period. Or the work of Henri Matisse, who passed through a Fauvist Period, a Cubist Period, and a Nice Period (named after the city in southern France). But this phenomenon of periods is not unique to European artists by any means! The Syrian artist, teacher, and pioneer Elias Zayyat is a brilliant example from the Arab world.
Born in Damascus in 1935, Zayyat studied in Bulgaria, Egypt, and Hungary, before returning to his native Syria. And his style evolved as he moved from place to place. His art reflects the influence of European modernism, Coptic art and iconography, and Byzantine sites like Palmyra in modern-day Syria.
You can see the evolution of Zayyat’s style below, where I divide his work into three periods: his time in Egypt, his studies in Budapest, and finally his return to Syria in the 1970s. A look at Zayyat’s paintings shows the difference between these eras. We find Egyptian villages in the rich hues of watercolor. Then more fantastical works that blend daily life and mystical creatures. And finally portrayals of his native Syria — including intricate pencil drawings and a towering mural on canvas.
NOTE: The images included here are from the collection of the Atassi Foundation, an organization dedicated primarily to Syrian art from the early 20th century till today. Their collection includes almost 100 artists and over 90 of Zayyat’s works.
Zayyat’s Time in Egypt
After first developing a passion for painting in Syria, Zayyat studied for four years at the Fine Arts Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria, and then at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo. His art from Egypt, in the early 1960s, drew directly from the world around him. We see life in Cairo and Aswan, boats and marketplaces, and a mixture of village and city life. I particularly enjoy the deep colors of the boats above, the contrast between the black ink and the watercolors in the second piece (below), and how the complex images of the third surround a large portrait.
His Studies in Budapest
Elias Zayyat returned to Syria in 1963, taking a teaching position at the College of Fine Arts in Damascus. By the early 1970s, he’d moved abroad again, this time to Hungary. He graduated from Budapest’s Academy of Fine Arts in 1973/74 with a degree in art restoration.
In this period, Zayyat’s art completely changed. Careful realistic portrayals of Egyptian life gave way to a new style mixing reality with the fantastical. I love the mystical creatures in the three works below. In the first, a horse (or unicorn?) rears up over the shaded shapes of a few buildings and bridges. In the second, two human figures run beneath a large bird. To me, they’re almost guiding it across the page, coaxing or calling it along with them. And I love the third work the most. A pushcart vendor with a touch of blue meets the red form of another bird, perhaps a phoenix?
Elias Zayyat Returns Home to Syria
After his time in Hungary, Zayyat returned to his native Syria, where he continued to teach and nurture local artists. He helped found the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University, becoming a full professor in 1980, a position he kept until his retirement in 2000. Zayyat painted all through this period as well and continued to make art until his death in 2022. His influence in Syria was immense — he’s known as a key founder of Syria’s modern art movement, impacting and mentoring many local artists, and also helping to decorate and restore artwork in Syrian churches.
In this period, Zayyat narrowed his focus to his native land. Syrian landscape, architecture, and history all play a part here. In the images I’ve selected, we see the Syrian countryside, ruined castles, and stories and images of the Byzantine city of Palmyra. I love the rich colors Zayyat uses, and how they lend a send of movement to his work. Leaves seem to move in the breeze. Horses dance, fight, and run. Faces turn and shift, steeped in emotion.
The final two images below are something special. These come from Zayyat’s 12-foot tall mural, “Deluge – The Gods Abandon Palmyra.” The artist carefully planned the large piece, making small studies in watercolor (such as Study 5 below) before completing the mural in acrylic paint. I love the intensity of this work, Zayyat’s retelling of the Mesopotamian tale of Gilgamesh. And the size of the work is mind-boggling, perhaps best described by the careful packing and unpacking process required to ship it over 6,000 miles for a 2016 exhibition in Toronto.
What Next?
For more on the Syrian artist Elias Zayyat, you’ve got to check out this page dedicated to his work on the Atassi Foundation’s site. You’ll find a detailed biography there and many more images of his paintings and artwork. As a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to Syrian art, the Atassi Foundation’s site also features scores of other modern and contemporary artists. I encourage you to browse their extensive collection. You won’t be disappointed.
Looking for more examples of Middle Eastern art? I’ve discussed a number of other artists and artworks on this blog, all of which can be found here under the Art category. Explore those pieces or read about other aspects of Middle Eastern history and culture by diving into the incredible music and cultural insights of Danny Hajjar’s weekly newsletter, sampling the memorable work of award-winning authors from Tunisia, or marveling at five examples of contemporary architecture in Kuwait.
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