Artistic Paintings: What Do People Want from Colors?

Since the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of the expressionist movement, artistic painting has become more exclusive to certain elite groups of art connoisseurs globally. However, in the Arab region, there is a different perspective. The Arab looks further back in time, to a captivating painting that remains suspended in the timeless continuum.

Has Time Stopped at the Mona Lisa?

The Mona Lisa, painted by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, is considered the most significant work of the European Renaissance. Specifically, it is the pinnacle of representational art, from which developed Impressionism, Expressionism, and later branched into abstract art and other structural compositions. Today, if you were to randomly ask individuals in the streets of any Arab capital about art, you would likely find a reasonable awareness of the Mona Lisa, or at least some might have heard the name “Mona Lisa.” But why is it that other historical expressionist and impressionist works do not hold a prominent place in people’s memories?

Arab Art Through Time

The earliest evidence of adopting Arabic calligraphy as an art form dates back to the 8th century AD, in a copy of the Quran written in Kufic script. The Abbasid state was renowned for major cultural shifts, most notably in the arts, which were manifested in Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation, or what is known as arabesque. It is widely believed that the first appearance of Islamic ornamentation or arabesque was in Baghdad in the 10th century AD, during one of the Abbasid periods, carved into marble slabs.

The Arabesque technique relies on connected and spreading lines derived from elements of a vegetal form. Some art critics view this connection and spread as a clear expression of the overall unity of existence, where everything is connected and spreads across space in a harmonious and coherent manner. It is noteworthy that both Islamic ornamentation and Arabic calligraphy rely on their artistic techniques on the expressive potential of abstract lines. Using artistic criticism metrics, we might consider these arts as being akin to the expressionist art movement that began in Europe in the early 20th century.

The Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh is considered the spiritual father of the expressionist movement. The wavy lines he made the primary component of his later works became the foundation upon which the expressionist art movement developed.

Expressionist art fundamentally relies on constructing a work of art using a basic element, such as lines, dots, or even geometric shapes. This is the same principle that applies to Islamic ornamentation and Arabic calligraphy. Another objective observation is that there is something that connects Islamic ornamentation and Arabic calligraphy. If you open any copy of the Holy Quran today, you will find its margins inscribed with arabesque, and you will see the Quran’s cover inscribed with beautiful Arabic calligraphy that instills a profound sense of reverence for the Holy Quran. The immense impact of Islamic heritage on Arab art cannot be overlooked, and these arts cannot be understood in isolation from their fundamental expressive theme—reading these arts in the name of your Lord, who created this interconnected and widespread existence that extends beyond sight and insight.

Therefore, there is a fundamental difference between the Western path of art and the traditional artistic path of the Arab and Islamic regions: the difference lies in the subject matter. The expressionist artist seeks to express the artist’s self, his personality, and his vision of the world and things. In contrast, the arabesque craftsman and the Arabic calligrapher aim to express the grand objective vision connected to the universal existence around them, using strict tools that are almost geometrical for this purpose.

Where Is the Arab Art Scene Headed?

After the widespread adoption of social media, especially in the Arab world, many art-focused groups and pages have emerged. If you show even a slight interest in the arts, social media algorithms will provide you with countless artist pages, art-related groups, and even annual online activities they participate in. You’ll notice that Arab artists paint in all colors and styles, which you won’t find prominently featured in traditional media. If you closely follow them, you’ll likely find a significant interest in the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh and his iconic painting “Starry Night.”

Do People Reject the Art or the Artist?

Today, cultural centers and some public streets in the Arab region are filled with a wide variety of visual arts, including modern works and those that date back to earlier artistic periods. Some are impressionistic, painted with watercolors, others are expressionistic, painted with coffee, and others are modern blends of various art forms. However, it is also well-known in the Arab region that visual arts struggle more than representational art, which relies more on skill and craftsmanship in imitating reality. Is this issue limited to the Arab world?

Globally, modern arts that express the artist’s self to a greater extent are considered liberal arts, and this is associated with elitism. Modern arts have increasingly been directed toward prestigious galleries, whose visitors are usually a select group of art enthusiasts and specialists who may have an artistic perspective entirely different from that of the general public.

Dr. Danielle Child, a lecturer in Art Theory and Practice at the Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, says:

“Despite the liberal promise of inclusivity, there is still ongoing injustice at the heart of the art world that extends to social classes, race, and gender.”

“Blue Poles” (1950), a painting by American artist Jackson Pollock, was sold to the National Gallery of Australia for $1.3 million in 1973. Today, it is believed that this painting is worth more than $500 million. Pollock’s works are mysterious and intriguing in their content, yet simple in their artistic construction, in terms of the colors and materials used. However, what raises more questions are the astronomical sums for which his works are sold, and the high level of secrecy and confidentiality surrounding these sales.

But it’s not just about modern abstract expressionist paintings; it also extends to the artist himself, his historical significance, and the story that has formed around him and his works—fame in the language of money and business. The Louvre, which houses a representational painting like the Mona Lisa—whose value cannot be precisely estimated—would likely refuse any offer to purchase it, even if the price were a billion dollars. It is most likely that the Louvre will never sell it.

Artistically: What Is the Secret of the Mona Lisa?

As for the Mona Lisa, what makes it special apart from Leonardo da Vinci? What lies behind that calm and steady gaze? The Mona Lisa has been and continues to be the subject of intense artistic debate and numerous theories. But what is known about it is the high degree of perfection and craftsmanship with which it was painted. The Mona Lisa sits quietly on that delicate balance that makes a work of art perfect. It is a simple work that everyone can understand and admire for its craftsmanship, and even the best critics cannot reject it. It is a painting you can ignore, but you cannot dismiss; if you return and let it gaze at you calmly, you will feel just how complete it is.