Hussein Bicar

Hussein Amin Bicar (Egyptian Arabic: حسين أمين بيكار) (2 January 1913 in Alexandria – 16 November 2002) was one of Egypt's most prominent artists of the 20th century. After graduating from the Cairo's School of Fine Arts in 1934, he spent more than 60 years of his life teaching art at schools and universities and then through the press. Bicar is credited for initiating a style of journalistic art that introduced illustrating for newspapers to a level close to that of the fine art.He is known for his simple and clear style reflecting the influence of Pharaonic art with its harmony, serenity and mysticism. Bicar's journalistic contributions go beyond illustrations to include art criticism and narrative poetry. Being the first Egyptian artist to illustrate Arabic children's books, Bicar has played a major role in establishing and promoting this field. Furthermore, his portraits and oil paintings depicting Egyptian peasants, Nubian scenes, his native Alexandria and Egyptian Pharaonic themes as well as his nature has earned him recognition and honors. In the words of late journalist Mustafa Amin:"he is not a single artist, he is a master of several arts…he is a painter, photographer, poet, musician and philosopher".