Al Majboos

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Artwork description

The painting depicts a woman with calm, soft features, wearing a traditional folk dress consisting of a red undergarment decorated with blue flowers, over which she wears a house-style dress with a head covering that lends her dignity. The woman sits in a floor-length position, familiar in old Gulf homes, scooping majboos from a silver pot onto a circular, green-edged plate. Her hair is long and braided into two braids, enhancing the popular folkloric aspect of the scene.

Symbolism and Themes
• Bahraini women: The focus of the artwork, embodying the image of a woman who preserves family traditions and heritage.
• Machboos: Not just a popular dish, but a symbol of daily Bahraini life and family reunions around a meal. The inclusion of this dish gives the painting a social and cultural dimension.

• Colors: The contrast between the flowery red and blue symbolizes the balance between the vibrancy of daily life and the serenity of a Bahraini home. The neutral background (wall color) highlights the character and places her at the center of the scene.

• Artistic technique: The artist adopted a style that combines color simplification with clear lines, reminiscent of modern folk art.

Cultural dimension
The work doesn't merely depict the preparation of a meal; it documents an aspect of authentic Bahraini identity. Here, majboos is not just a lunchtime meal; it represents collective memory and the warmth of family, presented through the image of women, who have long been associated with caring for the home and honoring guests.

Materials used
Acrylic on canvas

Artwork size:
80×80x4 cm