Nubian Figure with Lute
Painting on paper bag support, vertical portrait format • Gamal Mahmoud (Egyptian artist, active mid-20th century)
Style & Movement
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Modernism / Neo-Pharaonic and Folkloric Egyptian Art
Medium & Technique
Egg tempera (egg yolk) on recycled brown paper bag, utilizing the natural texture and wrinkles of the substrate
Creation Period
1969
Dimensions & Format
Estimated approximately 24 x 16 inches (vertical portrait format), mounted under matting and framed
Subject Description
A stylized vertical portrait of a traditional figure, possibly Nubian or rural Egyptian, wearing a head wrap and carrying a stringed instrument (lute or similar folk instrument). The composition is heavily textured, incorporating earthy tones of ochre, brown, and reddish-orange with bold dark outlines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good condition for an ephemeral medium, exhibiting natural creasing, fibrous tearing along the irregular deckled edges of the paper bag support, and stable aging of the tempera paint
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Acquired directly from Cairo, Egypt; executed by artist Gamal Mahmoud in 1969, likely originating from a private collection or local Egyptian art market
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the resourceful use of non-traditional, everyday materials characteristic of certain mid-century Egyptian artists working outside institutional constraints, capturing local folklore and indigenous identity
Notable Features
Use of humble, recycled everyday materials (brown paper bag) combined with traditional tempera technique (egg yolk) to elevate folk subject matter into fine art, along with visible signature on the right margin
Condition Issues
Intrinsic fragility of the recycled paper bag support, visible horizontal fold lines and creases inherent to the material, and natural aging of the tempera medium
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity; frame with UV-filtering conservation glass and acid-free backing to prevent further degradation of the paper substrate
Collector Notes
Cairo. Artist Gamal Mahmoud. 1969. Egg yolk tempts on paper bag