A Painting by Monsef Labib on Egyptian Papyrus Paper
When visiting the 3 Pyramids Papyrus Institute in Cairo, I was drawn to this painting most.  While all of the works were magnificent in content and richness of color against the natural papyrus paper, the simplicity of this painting stood in stark contrast to most of the art in the gallery.  After living with her for a couple of weeks I think it was less about her simplicity and more about her complexity, as to the person she may have been.  She is painted from the likeness of a statue, so I believe she must have been an important figure to have been cast in stone.  She is of realistic and natural proportions.  When I study the fall of her tummy, I think she may have been of a mature age and perhaps a mother of more than one child.  That she wore such sheer and close fitting fabric, I think she would have been very confident and was likely considered quite beautiful.  Having no identifiable face keeps her a timeless mystery…

Artist / Monsef Labib