Safwan Dahoul (Syrian, B. 1961)

This painting was executed in 1992, from Safwan Dahoul's 'Blue Period', considered the pinnacle of the artist's oeuvre. Characteristic of Dahoul's muted palette (often attributed to the subdued colours of his hometown Syria), this painting offers an array of blue hues combined with gold leaf. The solitary figures from Picasso's 'Blue period' of 1901-1904 were often portrayed in melancholy expression (said to have predicted the unfolding of the political upheaval that was to break out in Europe). Dahoul's everyday scene is glorified in blue and gold compared to his later paintings when he deliberately abandoned colour after the misfortunate death of his wife, Nawar. The figure in this painting appears to be in a state of transience as the title Rêve suggests. She is in solitude, the second coffee cup indicates a companion has recently departed. The subject dominates the composition, and thus leaves marginal space for movement - another characteristic of Dahoul's signature style. This painting captures many of Dahoul's recurring themes of solitude, scale, space, dreams, reality and freedom. The artist was influenced and inspired by Syrian Modern 'master' artists such as Fateh Moudarres.