29th Oct, 2025 12:00
Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art
50
⊕ SEIF WANLY (EGYPTIAN 1906-1979)
BAIGNOIRE AND THE PRINCESS
signed indistinctly lower right; inscribed in Arabic on the reverse
oil on board
33.5 x 28cm; 13 1/4 x 11in
37 x 32cm; 14 1/2 x 12 1/2in (framed)
Property of a Private Collector, Alexandria
Born in Alexandria, Seif Wanly was raised in a French-speaking Turkish aristocratic family and was privately tutored in his family house. Seif Wanly and his brother, Adham, started developing an interest in painting and art. They attended Italian painter Ottorino Becchi's new studio in Alexandria, Egypt. Becchi introduced them to avant-garde movements like Futurism and Cubism; these two techniques formed the basis from which Wanly developed his personal style defined by angular lines, bright shades and colourful geometric shapes.
Becchi left Egypt and the Wanly brothers set up their own studio in Alexandria in the 1940s, in collaboration with filmmaker Mohammed Bayoumid. Their studio is frequently credited with bringing attention to the art of the region.
The brothers travelled extensively after the Second World War, particularly during the 1950s to France, Italy and Spain, where they sketched and painted scenes of ballet, opera, theatre performances (such as the present lot) and landscapes. In 1957, Seif travelled to Nubia on the same project as Tahia Halim (see lots 39, 40 and 41) and Hussein Bicar, to create a collection of paintings and drawings depicting life in Upper Egypt.
The Wanly brothers were pioneers in introducing modern pictorial trends to Alexandria, depicting international subjects, and moving away from the folklorist style of their contemporaries. The siblings were close both in life and work and after Adham's death in 1959, Seif's work took on a more melancholic tone and a darker colour palette.
Throughout his life, Seif Wanly received numerous awards, including the State Promotional Prize in Art in 1973. His paintings are held in major collections, including the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art in Cairo, whilst an entire floor of the Mahmoud Saïd Museum in Alexandria is dedicated to the Wanly brothers, preserving their contribution to Egyptian art.
Sold for £1,800
BAIGNOIRE AND THE PRINCESS
signed indistinctly lower right; inscribed in Arabic on the reverse
oil on board
33.5 x 28cm; 13 1/4 x 11in
37 x 32cm; 14 1/2 x 12 1/2in (framed)
Property of a Private Collector, Alexandria
Born in Alexandria, Seif Wanly was raised in a French-speaking Turkish aristocratic family and was privately tutored in his family house. Seif Wanly and his brother, Adham, started developing an interest in painting and art. They attended Italian painter Ottorino Becchi's new studio in Alexandria, Egypt. Becchi introduced them to avant-garde movements like Futurism and Cubism; these two techniques formed the basis from which Wanly developed his personal style defined by angular lines, bright shades and colourful geometric shapes.
Becchi left Egypt and the Wanly brothers set up their own studio in Alexandria in the 1940s, in collaboration with filmmaker Mohammed Bayoumid. Their studio is frequently credited with bringing attention to the art of the region.
The brothers travelled extensively after the Second World War, particularly during the 1950s to France, Italy and Spain, where they sketched and painted scenes of ballet, opera, theatre performances (such as the present lot) and landscapes. In 1957, Seif travelled to Nubia on the same project as Tahia Halim (see lots 39, 40 and 41) and Hussein Bicar, to create a collection of paintings and drawings depicting life in Upper Egypt.
The Wanly brothers were pioneers in introducing modern pictorial trends to Alexandria, depicting international subjects, and moving away from the folklorist style of their contemporaries. The siblings were close both in life and work and after Adham's death in 1959, Seif's work took on a more melancholic tone and a darker colour palette.
Throughout his life, Seif Wanly received numerous awards, including the State Promotional Prize in Art in 1973. His paintings are held in major collections, including the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art in Cairo, whilst an entire floor of the Mahmoud Saïd Museum in Alexandria is dedicated to the Wanly brothers, preserving their contribution to Egyptian art.
Auction: Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art, 29th Oct, 2025
If you want to start collecting striking modern and contemporary art in a newly developing market, our sales are for you. Each spring and autumn, the Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Department hold tightly curated, live and online auctions. Expect to find Arab artists such as Tahia Halim, Seif Wanly, Mahmoud Said and Mohanna Durra. African artists featured have ranged from modern masters such as Ablade Glover, Sam Ntiro and Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, to contemporary artists George Lilanga, Jilali Gharbaoui, Famakan Magassa, Christano Mangovo, Oluwole Omofemi, Esther Mahlangu and Brett Seiler.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 26th October: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 27th October: 10am to 8pm (Drinks 5-8pm)
Tuesday 28th October: 10am to 5pm
