Page 237 - Features of an Era
P. 237
that time, explaining to them part of Ibrahim Pasha, bust of marble, 70 x 100 cm
the museum contents in the hall that An excerpt of Taha Hussein’s memorandum to the Council
included the statues of Egypt’s rulers. of Ministers, proposing the establishment of Isma’il Awards
for Fine Arts, to the left of which is the royal decree of
Some of these statues in this hall were establishment, Sawt El-Fannan journal (The Voice of the
documented by this picture; it is a bust
of commander Ibrahim Pasha (- 1789 Artist), first year, Vol. II, Issue 11, March 1951.
1849), the eldest son of Muhammad Ali
and his successor to the throne of Egypt.
This statue appears at the far left of the
picture behind Princess Faiza, an artwork
of the artist Mustafa Metwally (- 1911
1988).
The current show includes another
bust of the same figure. The artist
successfully selected gestures and facial
expressions that were commensurate
with the character traits of firmness and
determination as he was historically
known.
The effect of this encouragement did
not only stop at the limits of urging the
members of Muhammad Ali’s family
during Farouk reign on supporting
and caring about the arts, but also
it stimulated the cultural circles and
leading intellectuals to make their
contributions in this context then; this
led to found important events and
launch major competitions for different
fields of art. One of the most important
examples of this motivation impact was
what the Dean of Arabic Literature, Taha
Hussein called for it in 1951; he was then
Minister of Education when he decided
that the Ministry of Education will grant
eight awards named «Isma’il Fine Arts
Awards»; he submitted a memorandum
to the Council of Ministers, deciding that
his proposal was patterned on Farouk
establishment of Fouad I awards for
literature, science and law in 1946. The
text of Taha Hussein memorandum to the
Council of Ministers as follows:
237
the museum contents in the hall that An excerpt of Taha Hussein’s memorandum to the Council
included the statues of Egypt’s rulers. of Ministers, proposing the establishment of Isma’il Awards
for Fine Arts, to the left of which is the royal decree of
Some of these statues in this hall were establishment, Sawt El-Fannan journal (The Voice of the
documented by this picture; it is a bust
of commander Ibrahim Pasha (- 1789 Artist), first year, Vol. II, Issue 11, March 1951.
1849), the eldest son of Muhammad Ali
and his successor to the throne of Egypt.
This statue appears at the far left of the
picture behind Princess Faiza, an artwork
of the artist Mustafa Metwally (- 1911
1988).
The current show includes another
bust of the same figure. The artist
successfully selected gestures and facial
expressions that were commensurate
with the character traits of firmness and
determination as he was historically
known.
The effect of this encouragement did
not only stop at the limits of urging the
members of Muhammad Ali’s family
during Farouk reign on supporting
and caring about the arts, but also
it stimulated the cultural circles and
leading intellectuals to make their
contributions in this context then; this
led to found important events and
launch major competitions for different
fields of art. One of the most important
examples of this motivation impact was
what the Dean of Arabic Literature, Taha
Hussein called for it in 1951; he was then
Minister of Education when he decided
that the Ministry of Education will grant
eight awards named «Isma’il Fine Arts
Awards»; he submitted a memorandum
to the Council of Ministers, deciding that
his proposal was patterned on Farouk
establishment of Fouad I awards for
literature, science and law in 1946. The
text of Taha Hussein memorandum to the
Council of Ministers as follows:
237