Algerian Women by Dinet
Etienne Dinet was born in Paris in 1861. From a young age, he was interested in painting. His father, president of the Council of Lawyers, encouraged him to follow this path.
First prize for drawing in the general competition, he entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1882, he exhibited his first paintings. Dinet obtained a medal upon leaving Beaux-Arts and a travel grant allowed him to come to Algeria.
A long journey in the South took him to Laghouat and Ouargla. He was amazed by the beauty of the landscapes of a fascinating Sahara which had attracted great masters of painting before him; it was the double revelation of nature and light.
He created luminous works: Les Terrasses de Laghouat and Clair de lune à Bou-Saâda. Through his connections, he was able to penetrate Algerian circles. He learned to know the South, making countless caravan trips across the desert, and discovered the Arabic language, customs and the Muslim religion.
In 1913, he converted to Islam under the name Nasr-Eddine. He continued to produce numerous works, whether pictorial, literary, or even aesthetic criticism, and remained in contact with foreign artistic circles.
Among his literary works, we can cite Pictures of Arab Life, The Spring of Hearts, The Mirage, The Orient Seen from the West, The Pilgrimage to the House of Allah.
In May 1929, at the age of 68, he made the pilgrimage to Mecca. He could not resist the fatigue and emotions of this long journey. Returning to Paris, he soon died on December 24, 1929.
A funeral service was celebrated at the Paris Mosque, then, according to his wish, his body was transported to Boussaâda. An innumerable crowd of friends accompanied him to his final resting place. Dinet rests under the koubba in his garden, in the shade of the palm trees of the oasis, near the desert which was his passion.
First prize for drawing in the general competition, he entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1882, he exhibited his first paintings. Dinet obtained a medal upon leaving Beaux-Arts and a travel grant allowed him to come to Algeria.
A long journey in the South took him to Laghouat and Ouargla. He was amazed by the beauty of the landscapes of a fascinating Sahara which had attracted great masters of painting before him; it was the double revelation of nature and light.
He created luminous works: Les Terrasses de Laghouat and Clair de lune à Bou-Saâda. Through his connections, he was able to penetrate Algerian circles. He learned to know the South, making countless caravan trips across the desert, and discovered the Arabic language, customs and the Muslim religion.
In 1913, he converted to Islam under the name Nasr-Eddine. He continued to produce numerous works, whether pictorial, literary, or even aesthetic criticism, and remained in contact with foreign artistic circles.
Among his literary works, we can cite Pictures of Arab Life, The Spring of Hearts, The Mirage, The Orient Seen from the West, The Pilgrimage to the House of Allah.
In May 1929, at the age of 68, he made the pilgrimage to Mecca. He could not resist the fatigue and emotions of this long journey. Returning to Paris, he soon died on December 24, 1929.
A funeral service was celebrated at the Paris Mosque, then, according to his wish, his body was transported to Boussaâda. An innumerable crowd of friends accompanied him to his final resting place. Dinet rests under the koubba in his garden, in the shade of the palm trees of the oasis, near the desert which was his passion.