Omar Onsi
Encyclopedia
Omar Onsi, 1901–1969, in Arabic , a pioneer of modern painting
in Lebanon
, is Lebanon's most renowned impressionist
painter.
Onsi was born in Beirut. His father, a general practitioner
, had been one of the first Beirut Muslims to study modern Western medicine and his mother came from the prominent Sunni Muslim family Salam
. After an attempt to study medicine, Onsi studied painting in Beirut with Khalil Saleeby. From 1922 to 1927, he travelled to Transjordan
, where he taught painting and English to the children of King Abdullah
. The discovery of the desert and its colours during this stay had a major influence on his work. In 1928, Onsi went to Paris to continue his training and stayed for 3 years, attending the Académie Julian
and different workshops. During that period, Onsi focused on painting portraits, nudes, and Parisian scenery. In 1933, he returned to Lebanon, bringing back a colorful impressionist palette
and a French second wife. From then on, his work focused on the Lebanese landscape. After his death in 1969, he became one of Lebanon's best-known artists.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, is Lebanon's most renowned impressionist
Impressionism
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s...
painter.
Onsi was born in Beirut. His father, a general practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, had been one of the first Beirut Muslims to study modern Western medicine and his mother came from the prominent Sunni Muslim family Salam
Saeb Salam
Saeb Salam was a Lebanese politician, who served as Prime Minister four times between 1952 and 1973.Salam was the son of Salim Salam, the scion of a prominent Sunni Muslim family who was a prominent politician both under Ottoman rule and then during the French Mandate...
. After an attempt to study medicine, Onsi studied painting in Beirut with Khalil Saleeby. From 1922 to 1927, he travelled to Transjordan
Transjordan
The Emirate of Transjordan was a former Ottoman territory in the Southern Levant that was part of the British Mandate of Palestine...
, where he taught painting and English to the children of King Abdullah
Abdullah I of Jordan
Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan [‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn] عبد الله الأول بن الحسين born in Mecca, Second Saudi State, was the second of three sons of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca and his first wife Abdiyya bint Abdullah...
. The discovery of the desert and its colours during this stay had a major influence on his work. In 1928, Onsi went to Paris to continue his training and stayed for 3 years, attending the Académie Julian
Académie Julian
The Académie Julian was an art school in Paris, France.Rodolphe Julian established the Académie Julian in 1868 at the Passage des Panoramas, as a private studio school for art students. The Académie Julian not only prepared students to the exams at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, but offered...
and different workshops. During that period, Onsi focused on painting portraits, nudes, and Parisian scenery. In 1933, he returned to Lebanon, bringing back a colorful impressionist palette
Palette (painting)
A palette , in the original sense of the word, is a rigid, flat surface on which a painter arranges and mixes paints. A palette is usually made of wood, plastic, ceramic, or other hard, inert, nonporous material, and can vary greatly in size and shape...
and a French second wife. From then on, his work focused on the Lebanese landscape. After his death in 1969, he became one of Lebanon's best-known artists.