01 Work, The Art of War, Ismail Shammout's Al- Tariq/ The Way, with footnotes

Ismail Shammout (Palestinian, 1930-2006)

Al- Tariq (The Way), c. 1964

Oil on canvas

31 ½ x 23 ½ in. (79.9 X 59.9cm.)

Private collection

Sold for GBP 150,000 in Oct 2019

Al Tariq (The Way) reflects the tone of the dramatic and tragic events which unfolded in Palestine during the 1950s forward. The mastery in figurative execution of the piece highlights the many faces of a deeply affected crowd. As suggested by the title, the aggravated crowd is on the way, moving forward together through Palestinian nationalism and part of the larger Arab nationalization movement. At the time the unity of the Palestinian liberation movement was not yet a reality; it was for Shammout that he participated during those years in conquering the many arguments and differences between these many organizations, using Al Tariq as an invitation to unify the fight for their beliefs and emphasize the necessity for teamwork. In the composition, the weapons disappear in the crowd of faces that are accentuated by the artist's bold use of line and colour. Light shines selectively on their faces, revealing identity and stressing each individual’s role in their shuffling movement. They each tell their own story in a collective manner, and when looked at as a whole, the individuals contribute to an all-embracing melancholic and aggrieved tone. With tense foreheads and frowning features, the crowd of men and women is threatening in attitude; the dark hues add to the disgruntled, yet committed faces. The composition addresses a strong sense of dedication, disregarding the disturbing circumstances. More on this painting

Ismail Shammout (1930 – 2006) was a Palestinian artist and art historian.

Shammout was born in 1930 in Lydda. On July 12, 1948, he and his family were amongst 25,000 residents of Lydda expelled from their homes by Israeli occupation. The Shammout family moved to the Gaza refugee camp of Khan-Younes. In 1950 Shammout went to Cairo and enrolled in the College of Fine Arts. After returning to Gaza in 1953, he held his first exhibition, which was a success.

Shammout and Palestinian artist Tamam al Akhal participated in the Palestine Exhibition of 1954 in Cairo. The exhibition was inaugurated by then Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser. Later in 1954, he moved to Italy and enrolled at the Academia De Belle Arti in Rome. He married al Akhal in 1959. Their work has been exhibited in several countries.

Shammout became a part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the Director of Arts and National Culture in 1965. He also held the position of Secretary General of the Union of Palestinian Artists. He became Secretary General of the Union of Arab artists in 1969. In 1992 he and his wife, al Akhal, moved to Germany due to the Gulf War. After Germany, they settled in Jordan.

He and Al Akhal, returned to Lydda in 1997.

He died on July 1, 2006, at the age of seventy-six. More on Ismail Shammout

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