Oil on canvas
Morocco, 1993
Mohamed Drissi (1946-2003) – Moroccan painter
Signed and dated ‘Drissi 93’ lower left
Overall dimensions framed: 135.5 x 103 cm
Narrow wooden frame
Very good condition
Provenance: Private Collection North Rhine-Westphalia
Nude with cigarette in front of male viewers in a bar; works by the artist fetch up to 90,000 euros at international auctions

Mohamed Drissi (1946-2003) – one of the most important representatives of the ‘art marocain’ – has created this expressive oil painting in his characteristic expressionist style. The view into a night club, where men with stylized faces become voyeurs, exhibits an erotically charged atmosphere. In addition to the interesting subject matter – which seems all the more powerful in a Moroccan context – the expressive combination of colors delights in this painting. The colorful faces, the multi-hued bottles and the iridescent background merge into an attractive, expressive composition. The expressive power in Drissi’s works is reminiscent of the great German Expressionists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Otto Mueller.



The painting is in very good condition, the frame is presumably original. It is signed and dated ‘Drissi 93’ lower left. The frame shows wear. The framed work measures 135.5 x 103 cm, the stretcher frame measures 100 x 133 cm.



Mohamed Drissi (1946-2003)

Mohamed Drissi was born in the Moroccan city of Tétouan in 1946 and is considered one of the most original painters of his generation. He studied art in Tétouan, Paris, Barcelona, Brussels and New York. His favourite subject matter was the ‘human being’ and especially the taboo topic of prostitution. In this context, Drissi painted a colourful variety of abstract-expressive paintings of mostly androgynous women’s bodies and mask-like heads. However, the faces of Drissi’s figures reflect the full range of human emotions, which are enhanced by the postures and gestures. The expressive power in Drissi’s works are reminiscent of the great German Expressionists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Otto Mueller. The works of Egon Schiele and Edward Munch are also brought to mind.



Drissi’s works fetch record prices at international auctions. The Gallery Mohamed Drissi in Tangier, a contemporary art museum, presents some of his works.

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