Egyptian artist Maher Morcos: the path from a souvenir shop to high art

Many famous artists started small and moved towards their dreams. The career of Egyptian painter Maher Morcos started from a souvenir shop in Cairo, where he sold his works to tourists. Today he is one of the most famous artists in his country and collectors hunt for his paintings. (Warning! Nudity).

Maher Morcos was born on February 23, 1946 in Cairo to an Italian father and an Egyptian mother. He began drawing at the age of 5, and at 13 he was already earning money by offering his watercolors to tourists in a souvenir shop. The subjects of Maher's works were quite standard - everyday scenes from the life of ancient and modern Egyptians against the backdrop of majestic pyramids and temples.

At the age of 14, the boy took part in a government artist competition and won first place. It’s hard to believe, but officials liked Morcos’s paintings so much that at the age of 15 he received his first serious job, paid from the state budget. The Ministry of Education commissioned the talented teenager to create illustrations for secondary school textbooks.

At the age of 15, Morcos held his first solo exhibition in Cairo, which was a huge success. Despite the universal recognition of their son’s talent, the young artist’s parents were not happy with his choice. After graduating from school, they persuaded him to study to become a doctor. Disputes in the family continued for a long time and eventually a compromise was found. Maher chose the profession of architect, which was inextricably linked with art and, in the opinion of his father, was quite serious.

At the College of Architecture, Morcos was one of the best students. He not only studied, but also continued to paint and mastered playing the saxophone. In 1968, the young man defended his diploma with honors. But architecture did not captivate him and he devoted himself entirely to painting.

Every person who creates something serious sets goals for himself. Maher Morcos also had a goal. The artist was offended that everyone knew the names of European and American artists. He decided that he would become a master who would be known on all continents. And he achieved this goal.

Morcos became a prize-winner in many competitions held far from his homeland. He was also invited to become a member of the Western Heritage and Western Artists of America societies. In their ranks he was the first Egyptian painter. Now the name of Maher Morcos is known in the USA, Great Britain, Germany, China, Japan, Russia and even in Australia.

The artist has an incredible gift - he always creates a masterpiece, regardless of the chosen technique and theme. Looking at Morcos's work, it is difficult to believe that all these paintings were painted by one person.