Painting that Paul Guiragossian refused to leave behind is on show in Abu Dhabi

Manuella Guiragossian recalls the chaos of the Lebanese Civil War, her family huddling in shelters while her father Paul Guiragossian carried their cherished painting with him, as if it were a family member. The painting, a self-portrait, held a special place for him, and she wondered why it was the only piece they took with them during the constant turmoil.

Guiragossian, a man on crutches due to a previous accident, led his family to safety with that painting tucked under his arm. For a young Manuella, the dedication to his work was evident, but what puzzled her was his obsession with safeguarding this particular self-portrait above all others.

The exhibition "Paul Guiragossian: 100 Years of Art" at Abu Dhabi's Bassam Freiha Art Foundation features this iconic self-portrait, showcasing the artist's journey through different phases of his life. The painting, produced in 1948, is one of the few works the family managed to leave behind when they were displaced from Jerusalem due to the Nakba.

The artwork captures Guiragossian in a moment of introspection, his posture a blend of vulnerability and determination, with dark reds and browns in the background adding to the intensity of the scene.

Displayed alongside the self-portrait, are works that reflect the influence of women in Guiragossian's life, including his mother Rahel, portrayed in ink and charcoal drawings and an oil painting from 1948. These pieces provide insight into the artist's early years, marked by a struggle with colors and a focus on subdued palettes. It wasn't until his marriage and the arrival of children that Guiragossian embraced the vibrant hues that would later become a hallmark of his style.