Istanbul and Sarajevo in the Watercolour Paintings by Bosnian Artist Fuad Arifhodzic

At the National Gallery of BIH in Sarajevo, an exhibition of the watercolour paintings by Fuad Arifhodzic, a famous Bosnian master. The exhibition was organized on the occasion of one hundred years since the birth of the artist.

Fuad Arifhodzic is a representative of the Sarajevo school of painting, as per his choice of topics as well as for his sensibility that was more lyrical than expressive. Painting the city's panorama is what made his art well-known. The distinctive Sarajevo scenes have always attracted Bosnian artists and Fuad Arifhodzic transformed them into visual poetry veiled with melancholy and an almost abstract sense of form.

Fuad Arifhodzic, Sarajevo, Watercolour painting / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Arifhodzic's special visual fascination were Muslim tombstones. The artist devoted a great series to the sculptural form of tombstones and whiteness of the stone. For Arifhodzic tombstones are more metaphysical forms, gates that connect this world to the one to follow.

The artist approached other motives in a similar way, trying to emphasize metaphysics shown by the fluidity of aquarelle technique, which certainly helped him. This is particularly evident in his Istanbul panoramas. The view of the Golden Horn was his favorite topic. Istanbul is always shown in the haze, or at the time of sunset when atmospheric effects are particularly emphasized. In these paintings Istanbul is recognized by the contours of the famous mosques, not by details.

Fuad Arifhodzic, Istanbul, Watercolour painting / Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine

Fuad Arifhodzic was a remarkable watercolor master who for decades attracted the attention of the Bosnian art scene, leaving a significant mark in the Bosnian painting. Arifhodzic won many awards, among them the 6th April Award, the largest Sarajevo Award for lifelong contribution, and the Award by UNESCO Culture Committee. His watercolor paintings of Sarajevowere used for post stamps and printed in millions of copies. Fuad ArifhodÅ¾iÄ‡ died in Sarajevo in 2008 at the age of 85.

Installation view, Photo by Islamic Arts Magazine