Adam Henein (Egypt, 1929-2020) Donkey
Provenance : [Timeline chronologique]
1960-01-01 | Adam Henein 'Donkey' The first appearance of an iconic 1960's 'Donkey' sculpture from the artist Provenance: Property from a distinguished private collection, Beirut Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner, circa early 2000s Exhibited: Farouk Hosny and Adam Henein, Heirs to an Ancient Tradition, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1999 Institut Du Monde Arabe, Three Contemporary Sculptors, Paris, 1991 Egyptian Academy, Rome, 1980 *others from the edition Published: Mona Khazindar (ed.), Adam Henein, Turin, 2005 Farouk Hosny and Adam Henein, Heirs to an Ancient Tradition, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1999 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey'. - Zechariah 9:9 'When he wanted an architect to build him a simple home, Henein paid for it with a sculpture of a donkey' - Mona Khazindar Bonham's are proud to present one of the most emblematic and iconic Adam Henein sculptures ever to come to market
[Propriété non datée]
- The first example of this subject matter ever to come to auction, 'Donkey' is a large, highly symbolic and deeply significant example of Henein's work
- Henein grew up in a rural village in Egypt and had a strong connection with the landscape and animals of his homeland
- He was fascinated by the donkey, which is a common and beloved animal in Egypt, and found it to be a symbol of resilience and endurance
- For Henein, the donkey represented the dignity and beauty of the simple life and the connection between human beings and nature
- He was drawn to the donkey's expressive face and its ability to convey a sense of emotion and character through its body language
- In addition to his personal connection to the donkey, Henein was also influenced by the ancient Egyptian tradition of animal worship and the importance of animals in Egyptian mythology
- Through his sculptures of donkeys, Henein aimed to capture the essence of this ancient tradition and convey the timeless beauty and majesty of these humble creatures
- In ancient Egyptian culture, the donkey was an important animal for both practical and symbolic reasons
- As a beast of burden, donkeys were used for carrying goods, such as grain, pottery, and other items, both within cities and for long-distance trade
- They were also used for transportation of people, particularly the wealthy and powerful
- The donkey's significance went beyond its practical use, however
- It was also considered a symbol of Egypt's agricultural and economic system, which was heavily dependent on the cultivation of crops and the transportation of goods
- Donkeys were often depicted in Egyptian art, appearing in tomb paintings, reliefs, and other artefacts
- They were also used in religious ceremonies, particularly in the worship of the god Seth, who was associated with the desert and the donkey
- In addition, donkeys had a certain cultural cachet in ancient Egyptian society
- They were prized for their loyalty, endurance, and hardiness, and were often given as gifts to foreign dignitaries
- Even today, the donkey remains a symbol of Egypt's rural and agricultural heritage and continues to be an important animal in many parts of the country
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