FOLIO Five... "One Man's Garbage..." redux: Fouad Kronfol

This week I conclude the series of paintings and drawings by the outstanding Iranian artist Mahmoud Franschian. Apart from some positive remarks in the first week there has not been much reaction to the ensuing posts so I feel that interest in these art works must have waned and it is time to end the series. I hope, however, that a number of our colleagues who are themselves artists have learned to know and appreciate the oeuvres of this relatively unknown artist, especially in the West. For me it has been a real treat to discover his works and to own the remarkable collection shown in the Folio which Nadia and I found in the trash chute area of our NY apartment in 1976/77.

"Joseph", 1975 : Another enigma from the artist, it is difficult to understand what this painting represents. It shows a rather effeminate young man , lavishly dressed in a white robe giving what looks like an inviting "come on" to a large number of attractive females all around him.

"Sohrab and Gurdafarid", 1967: here is a dynamic paintng depicting a well known Persian fairy tale. It shows Sohrab fighting with Gurdafarid,,both on horseback. It appears his spear is broken, in the fore ground, and he attacks her with a whip while she wields a scimitar. The action is in a valley with a fortified castle in the background.

Untitled black and white drawing shows a beautiful woman intertwined with her lover as well as a horse in a convolution of shapes...is this Sohrab again as he romances his enemy Guldafarid ???

Untitled drawing shows a bevy of gorgeous women flirting with a group of old men. The eternal story of love between the ages !

"Allure of the Nest", 1965. True to his style Farschian introduces a painting that has no humans or animals every now and then. Here is a bird sitting in its nest with more than half a dozen other birds flying around it.

"The Dawn",1973. This colorful painting shows a young a beautiful woman stretching langurously upon awaking at dawn. It looks like she had a pleasant dream as we can see the faces of two nymphs or angels to her right.

"Baring Illuminates", 1964: This dramatic black and white painting shows a mass of humans inside a building all of whom are around an orange lamp (the only item in color) and a globe.

"Farewell Hafez", 1963. One of the most famous Persian poets , Hafez, seems to be leaving an orgiastic party of youngsters in a very dejected manner. No one pays attention to his departure though as they are all having a great time enjoying themselves.

"The Maze", 1973. Here is a painting of an old man seated in the middle of a swirling background of colors. One has to look carefully to see that there are a number of human faces among the surrounding spaces, all of whom are looking at the old man.He seems to be saying to himself, "how did I get into this mess ?"

Untitled drawing. This seems to mirror the earlier painting of an old man except that here he is surrounded by three lovely young women. In his inimitable style Farschian's women show only one facet of their faces..a pair of eyes, a mouth, or two eyebrows.

"Breath of Angels",1975. On the same theme it seems of an old man, in this case probably a poet or writer, is surrounded by young women flying around him. They appear as though they are clouds.

"A Sip in Turn",1970. Another Bacchanalian scene of many people seemingly in a turpor after a night of revelry. There is the ever present old man in the forefront while all around are young men and women enjoying themselves.

"Winery of Existence", 1973. The subject of wine is never too far away in his paintings as Franschian shows another old man squeezing a bunch of grapes into his mouth as all around him are shapes of humans and the grapevine.

"Awake", 1974.This is an unusual painting in that it is mainly monochromatic in black with tinges of yellow. The center has a young woman that looks like an angel having a big wing but also with a sword hovering above her. She is being taunted it seems by a devil-like personage flying around her. Also special is the fact that the painting protrubes beyond the confines of the frame which gives an interesting effect.

"Bestow", 1968.The very colorful painting shows an attractive young woman in a garden, with a flask of wine in one hand and a saucer in the other from which she is pouring the wine on the flowers.

"The Third Adventure of Rustum", 1973. Here is one of the great heroes of Persian literature as he fights a dragon having come down from his horse and stepping on the snake-like animal.

"The Crystal Ball of Vision", 1975. Here the artist portrays three wise old poets, or writers in an animated discussion of various subjects. They are seen in front of a globe while above them is a beautiful angel enjoying the discussion.