Mahmoud Mokhtar facts for kids
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Mahmoud Mukhtar (Arabic: محمود مختار) was a famous Egyptian sculptor. He was born on May 10, 1891, and passed away on March 28, 1934. He is known for starting the modern art movement in Egypt. Many people call him the father of modern Egyptian sculpture.
Mukhtar was one of the first students at the College of Fine Arts in Cairo. This school opened in 1908. Even though he died young, his art had a huge impact. He helped shape what Egyptian art looks like today.
Early Life and Education
Mahmoud Mukhtar grew up in a small village. It was called Douar skouila, in the Nile Delta region. His father was the village mayor, known as an 'Omda'. When Mukhtar was a child, he moved to Cairo with his mother.
In 1908, he joined the new Egyptian School of Fine Arts. This was a big step for him. Later, in 1912, he went to Paris, France. He studied at the famous École des Beaux-Arts. This school teaches fine arts like painting and sculpture.
Egypt's Renaissance Statue
Mukhtar stayed in Paris during World War I. He worked at the Musée Grévin, a wax museum. He was inspired by the Egyptian Revolution of 1919. This was a big movement for Egypt's independence.
He created a small model, called a maquette, of a statue. He named it "Nahdat Misr," which means "Egypt's Awakening" or "Egypt's Renaissance." Young Egyptian leaders loved his idea. They started a national effort to build a huge version of the statue.
The large statue was first placed in Cairo's Bab al-Hadid Square. This was near Cairo's main train station. Later, it was moved to a spot outside Cairo University. This statue became a symbol of Egypt's new spirit.
Mukhtar Museum
Today, you can see many of Mahmoud Mukhtar's works. They are displayed at the Mukhtar Museum in Cairo. The museum shows his sculptures made from different materials.
Legacy and Recognition
Mahmoud Mukhtar's work continues to inspire. On May 10, 2012, Google Doodle celebrated his 121st birthday. This showed how important his art is around the world.
