Youssef Howayek
Encyclopedia
Youssef Saadallah Howayek ' onMouseout='HidePop("47117")' href="/topics/Hawayek">Hawayek
) (1883–1962) a painter and sculptor from Helta, in modern day Lebanon
.
, was a Councillor elected into the Ottoman Mutasarref's (Governor) Administrative Council. His grandfather was the village priest and his uncle was the Patriarch Howayek
.
He first travelled to Rome
and studied the various forms of art. His first passion was for painting. Focusing on the cultural shock observed by a young Syrian mountain dweller in contact with a major European city like Rome.
He later moved to Paris
to join Khalil Gibran
who had come from the other side of the Atlantic. Gibran
and Howayek had known each other from Syria
, and became closer friends in Paris being from the same part of the world and the same age. They also had the same passion for painting and sculpture, studying art with Auguste Rodin
for two years (1909 and 1910). Ameen Rihani joined them in Paris for a short while. Also in Paris he met Isadora Duncan
who bought two paintings from him for 500 French Francs. In Paris, he is known to have socialised at Le Dome Cafe
in Montparnasse
.
He writes in his memoirs that his favourite book was "Histoire des origines du Christianisme", by Ernest Renan
. Youssef Howayek is known to have started translating Dante's
The Divine Comedy
to Arabic. It is not known if he completed it.
Translated to French by Edvick Shayboub.
Translated to English by Matti Moosa. Yusuf Huwayyik : Gibran in Paris (1976 Popular Library, NY)
"The soul is a heavenly flower that cannot live in the shade, but thorns can live everywhere."
This is from a letter to Youssef Howayek from Gibran in 1911.
From Kahlil Gibrarn: A Self-Portrait. (FIUL, Citadel Press, 1959), p. 26. FLOWERS; MAN; SHADE; SOULS; THORNS 19870300
Hawayek
The surname Howayek, Hawayek and its variants are common in the Christian Catholic Maronite clan from Lebanon. The majority of the members live in three Lebanese towns Bdadoun, Hsarat and Helta as well as some other smaller towns in Lebanon and Syria in addition to the family members who have...
) (1883–1962) a painter and sculptor from Helta, in modern day 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...
.
Career
Youssef Farroukh's father, Saadallah HowayekSaadallah Howayek
Saadallah Howayek was a politician from the Ottoman period. He lived in Helta, Lebanon and served in the Administration Council for Mount Lebanon between the years 1902 and 1907.-Election to council:...
, was a Councillor elected into the Ottoman Mutasarref's (Governor) Administrative Council. His grandfather was the village priest and his uncle was the Patriarch Howayek
Elias Peter Hoayek
Elias Peter Hoayek , was Patriarch of Antioch for the Maronites, the largest Christian community in the Middle East from 1898 to 1931 when he died....
.
He first travelled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and studied the various forms of art. His first passion was for painting. Focusing on the cultural shock observed by a young Syrian mountain dweller in contact with a major European city like Rome.
He later moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to join Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān,Jibrān Khalīl Jibrān, or Jibrān Xalīl Jibrān; Arabic , January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) also known as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer...
who had come from the other side of the Atlantic. Gibran
Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān,Jibrān Khalīl Jibrān, or Jibrān Xalīl Jibrān; Arabic , January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) also known as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer...
and Howayek had known each other from Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, and became closer friends in Paris being from the same part of the world and the same age. They also had the same passion for painting and sculpture, studying art with Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
for two years (1909 and 1910). Ameen Rihani joined them in Paris for a short while. Also in Paris he met Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and only later in her life...
who bought two paintings from him for 500 French Francs. In Paris, he is known to have socialised at Le Dome Cafe
Le Dome Cafe
Le Dôme Café or Café du Dôme is a restaurant in Montparnasse, Paris. From the beginning of the 1900s, it was renowned as an intellectual gathering place. It was widely known as "the Anglo-American café."...
in Montparnasse
Montparnasse
Montparnasse is an area of Paris, France, on the left bank of the river Seine, centred at the crossroads of the Boulevard du Montparnasse and the Rue de Rennes, between the Rue de Rennes and boulevard Raspail...
.
He writes in his memoirs that his favourite book was "Histoire des origines du Christianisme", by Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizations, philosopher and writer, devoted to his native province of Brittany...
. Youssef Howayek is known to have started translating Dante's
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...
to Arabic. It is not known if he completed it.
Writings
“Gibran Khalil Gibran in Paris” Memories of Youssef Al Howayek: FMA, Paris 1995.Translated to French by Edvick Shayboub.
Translated to English by Matti Moosa. Yusuf Huwayyik : Gibran in Paris (1976 Popular Library, NY)
Paintings
He painted the "Our Lady of Seven Sorrows" and "Christ in the Garden of Olives" and donated them to the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris.Sculptures
- Sculpture of the Patriarch Elias Howayek
- Sculpture of Youssef Beik Karam
- Sculpture of Daoud Corm, the painter
- The first sculpture for Martyrs Square in Beirut (in 1916 the square was named Martyrs Square in tribute to the Lebanese nationalists executed by the Ottomans. The first Martyrs' Monument is of two women, a Muslim and a Christian. It is now exhibited in Sursok Museum garden.)
"The soul is a heavenly flower that cannot live in the shade, but thorns can live everywhere."
This is from a letter to Youssef Howayek from Gibran in 1911.
From Kahlil Gibrarn: A Self-Portrait. (FIUL, Citadel Press, 1959), p. 26. FLOWERS; MAN; SHADE; SOULS; THORNS 19870300
External links
- http://www.maronite-league.org.lb/sanct.html
- http://www.opuslibani.org.lb/liban/Dos003.htm
- http://www.libanvision.com/batroun.htm
- http://www.onefineart.com/en/artists/howayek/page2.shtml
- http://www.rdl.com.lb/2000/3742/art1.html
- http://www.medinaportal.net/lebanon/pages/poc.php?ID_POC=805&ID_Lang=1&ID_PathWay=57
- http://www.rdl.com.lb/1999/3702/art1.html
- http://csrd.lau.edu.lb/Publications/StudentReports/Lebanese%20Culture%20&%20Art.htm
- Arab Sculpture, Yousif Hoyeck, http://www.kubba.com/arabsculpture.html