Georges Hanna Sabbagh (Egypt, 1877-1951)
L'île Éléphantine à Assouan
oil on panel, framed
signed 'G.H.Sabbagh' (lower left), executed in 1942
33 x 41cm (13 x 16 1/8in).
Footnotes:
Provenance
Property from a distinguished private collection, France
Property from a private collection, Beirut
Acquired directly from the artist family by the above

Exhibited
Georges Sabbagh: Solo Exhibition, Cairo and Alexandria, 1953

Published
George Sabbagh by Jean and Pierre Sabbagh, Georges Sabbagh: Monograph, Beauchesne Editeur, Paris 1981, No.62, P.121,
Le Progres Egyptien, Cairo, 1st February 1949
Nouvelle Revue Française, 1st February 1955


The present work is a rare and significant painting of the Elephantine island in Aswan which has been extensively published and exhibited. Sabbagh's dedication to capturing the essence of historical Egypt through his art is exemplified in his major work. Sabbagh's life and artistic journey were marked by a profound connection to the rich cultural heritage of Egypt. His oeuvre often featured landscapes and archaeological sites, reflecting his deep fascination with the country's ancient past and its natural beauty.

Elephantine, situated within the city of Aswan in Upper Egypt, is an island of profound historical significance. Spanning approximately 1,200 meters from north to south and 400 meters at its widest point, Elephantine is strategically located downstream of the First Cataract, marking the southern border of Upper Egypt with Lower Nubia. The island's name may derive from its distinctive shape, resembling an elephant tusk when viewed from above, or from the rounded rocks along its banks, which bear a resemblance to elephants. In antiquity, Elephantine served as an essential hub for river trade, offering a prime location for cargo transfer.

Its archaeological sites, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the 'Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae,' provide invaluable insights into the historical and cultural tapestry of ancient Egypt and its interactions with Nubia. Notably, Elephantine was a crucial border fort during the Second Intermediate Period and is renowned for its association with the Elephantine Triad, a group of Egyptian deities led by Khnum, the ram-headed god who guarded the Nile's cataracts from beneath the island.

Georges Hanna Sabbagh, an Egyptian artist, was born in Alexandria and embarked on an artistic journey that eventually led him to the revered halls of the Louvre School in Paris. There, he honed his craft under the tutelage of notable artists like Paul Sérusier, Félix Vallotton, and the Symbolist painter Maurice Denis. While Sabbagh was closely associated with the Paris School and even worked alongside renowned figures like Amedeo Modigliani, he always maintained his artistic independence and freedom.

His oeuvre encompassed a wide range of subjects, from portraits and nudes to landscapes, and his art captured the essence of his childhood landscapes in Egypt, where he would eventually return. Georges Sabbagh's career spanned multiple artistic movements, including Les Nabis, Fauvism, and Cubism. Despite falling into relative obscurity after World War II, his work remained a testament to his cordial and deeply human approach to painting.
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