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Notes: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTOR, BEIRUT

In his later paintings the recurrent theme in Paul Guiragossian's work is groups of women. They are shown frieze-like, standing in a line and facing the viewer. They sometimes have recognizable attributes- holding babies, or wearing patterned clothes, whilst in other works the figures are more highly abstracted. These works, taken as a whole, are an homage to women and most specifically, to the mother and to motherhood. As Guiragossian said, the mother is the greatest hero of the world." Women were his primary source of inspiration, and this comes across strongly in his interviews. In one he said "I lived my childhood deprived from the affection of a woman. I have spent my childhood in private convents, without knowing my mother that I looked for so long to find in my paintings."
In another, he said "I am mad over feminine beauty...each woman for me is unique. There are no ugly women. In fact if we tried to explain in terms physical beauty, it would be ridiculous..."

The present example, of exceptional size and quality, shows such a group of women, very broadly executed using thick strokes, with darker colours over a brighter ground. The influence of icon painting on the work of the artist is something that has long been remarked upon, and the luminous impression given by this work is almost akin to stained glass.