Skip to main content

Farah Atassi

"First of all, it is important to say that Farah Atassi unabashedly embraces her profound knowledge of and admiration for modernist painting, from Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger to Georges Braque. As Atassi says 'the references and allusions in my paintings are not hints for the educated observer: they are formal propositions that need to be understood in their claim of universality'. Her subjects have now been distilled into the genres and classic stereotypes of the history of painting: these are mostly still lifes and feminine models - never men - who pose seated on rocking chairs, inside a studio or, as the artist indicates, 'on set', that is to say inside an action that is certainly minimal yet scripted. The titles of her paintings give an indication of her methodical exploration of these stereotypes: Woman in Profile, Seated Nude, Model In Studio, Still Life With Palette and Roses.

Thus articulated, her painting leaves a little room for wordiness, favoring a form of permanence over the literal expression of the Zeitgeist and his vicissitudes. 

Confronted with its own history, the question of the subject quickly vanished in favor of the exploration of the possibilities offered by a history of forms that obviously is necessary unfinished."

—  Eric Troncy 

  • Biography

    read or download

  • Bibliography

    read or download

Selected artworks

  • Farah Atassi, The Acrobat Dancer, 2021

    Farah Atassi The Acrobat Dancer, 2021

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    250 x 180 cm
    98 1/2 x 71 in

  • Farah Atassi, Sleeping Bather, 2021

    Farah Atassi Sleeping Bather, 2021

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    145 x 180 cm
    57 1/2 x 71 in

  • Farah Atassi, The Picnic, 2022

    Farah Atassi The Picnic, 2022

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    180 x 145 cm
    71 x 57 in

  • Farah Atassi, Dancer in Rocking Chair, 2022

    Farah Atassi Dancer in Rocking Chair, 2022

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    200 x 160 cm
    78 1/2 x 63 in

  • Farah Atassi, Resting Bather with Oranges, 2023

    Farah Atassi Resting Bather with Oranges, 2023

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    145 x 180 cm
    57 x 71 in 

  • Farah Atassi, Woman Doing Hair , 2023

    Farah Atassi Woman Doing Hair , 2023

    Oil and glycero on canvas 
    200 x 160 cm
    78 1/2 x 63 in 

  • Farah Atassi, Sleeping Acrobat , 2023

    Farah Atassi Sleeping Acrobat , 2023

    Oil and glycero on canvas 
    160 x 200 cm
    63 x 78 1/2 in 

  • Farah Atassi, Sleeping Acrobat 2, 2023

    Farah Atassi Sleeping Acrobat 2, 2023

    Oil and glycero on canvas
    160 x 200 cm
    63 x 78 1/2 in 

  • Farah Atassi, Reclining Woman Reading , 2023

    Farah Atassi Reclining Woman Reading , 2023

    Oil and glycero on canvas 
    200 x 160 cm
    78 1/2 x 63 in 

Gallery exhibitions

Museum exhibitions

Selected press

Explore further