Portrait of a Woman

The paintings of Lebanese artist Habib Srour have traditionally been linked to the al-Nahda movement, associated with the artistic and cultural Renaissance of the 19th century in the Arab world. The artist was exposed to academic painting and genres during his schooling in Rome. He put them into practice when he returned to his hometown of Beirut. The Portrait of a Woman exemplifies Habib Srour's preference for portraiture, a style that the community's upper classes particularly valued. The woman's light-colored facial complexion and the dark tones of her outfit provide a striking color contrast in the artwork. Despite his noticeable attention to detail, the artist aimed for something other than perfection. The Portrait of a Woman goes against the convention in art history to reserve the portrait genre for significant individuals. In a realistic approach, Habib Srour reveals his interest in expressing the psychological power of the scene through the severe and solemn picture of an average sitter.