Mahmoud Mokhtar

For Al Ahly old player and manager, see Mahmoud Mukhtar El-Tetsh

For Turkish general, see Mahmud Muhtar Pasha

Mahmoud Mukhtar's Egypt's Renaissance 1919-1928, Cairo University Gate

Mahmoud Mukhtar (Arabic: محمود مختار‎) (May 10, 1891-March 28, 1934) was an Egyptian sculptor. Notwithstanding his prematurely early death, his impact on contemporary Egyptian art has been colossal. He is considered the father of modern Egyptian sculpture.

History

Born in the Nile Delta region in a small village called Nesha, Mokhtar moved to Cairo in 1908 where he joined the newly founded School of Fine Arts. In 1911, he was granted a scholarship to study art in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux Arts.

Works

In France, he befriended members of the Wafd Party and was inspired to create the prototype of his famous statue, Nahdit Misr aka "Egypt's Renaissance," which was initially unveiled in Ramses Square in 1928 and now stands opposite the Cairo University Bridge.

Winning many honours and awards in Paris and Cairo, Mokhtar also became famous for his two monumental statues of Saad Zaghlul (one in Alexandria, the other in Cairo). Some of his other well-known sculptures include "The Secret Keeper," "Isis," "The Nile's Bride" and "Khamaseen."

Museum

The Mukhtar Museum in Cairo houses Mahmoud Mokhtar's works in various media.

External links

• Al-Ahram Weekly: "Mahmoud Mokhta, Short-changed by history"
• Saad Zaghloul Statues