George Aleef

George Aleef (1887 - 1970) was a Russian orientalist painter who served in the Tsarist Army. He later lived in Palestine until the Palestinian Exodus, his paintings depicted major historical moments during that era in Palestine.

Biography

Born in Russia, he served as a bodyguard for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia until the Bolshevik revolution broke out. In 1920 he became a professional painter and left Russia to Istanbul. Later he moved to Palestine and in 1948 during the Palestinian Exodus he moved to Jordan, where he lived till 1968 before leaving to Lebanon.

Art

His style is rather neo-classical and has naive traits which are apparent in practically all his works. He used both oils and water color.

During his time in Palestine he painted Jerusalem with an Arabic identity also portraying a time where Mosques, Churches and Synagogues coexisted peacefully.

He had many exhibitions in Jerusalem, Amman and Beirut and many of his paintings are hanging at the Jordanian Royal Court and in private Jordanian collections.

External links

* [http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~weboutl/archive_vault/aleef426.htm Aleef's paintings revive old Palestine]
* [http://www.jo-artists.net/home.htm Jordanian Artists]