Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

Songs for the Pharaoh

by

P1010020

P1010015

While departing Egypt in 2009, I found this splendid lute-like oudat an airport shop. I purchased it with the intention of using it as a prop in a painting because of the beautiful shades and shapes in the design.

Literally, the ‘ud means twig’, ‘flexible rod’ or ‘aromatic stick’. It is an instrument that remains popular in Egypt and dates as far back as the 18th century BCE. It has both a modern and a classical sound and is still used by contemporary musicians.

Most ouds in Egypt are decorated and embellished with colorful inlays, historically with ivory but today white plastic is used. Often nacre (pearl) is used for a perfect dramatic look. These instruments are popular in Iraq and Syria also. Go to the web site of Chris Dahlgren. to hear the music of this unusual ancient oud. Perhaps, he plays the music just as the Pharaoh would have heard it.

Chiaroscuro Painting

Oil painting with the chiaroscuro technique illuminates the focus area with a strong light. All other areas are painted with less detail, lower values, and intensity of color giving a mysterious appearance. By putting one or two objects in the important focus area, a strong but simple composition will emerge. Combining these oil painting techniques with a selection of superior natural pigments and oil paints result in the beautiful and evocative quality known as Chiaroscuro Painting.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Hi Alyson,
    I hope you found the video of Chris Dahlgren playing the beautiful music of the oud. It is actually quite surprising how much oud music is on the Internet. There are many many wonderful craftsmen making the instruments which are true works of art.
    Margret