Omar Racim

Omar Racim (1884–1959) bi Algerian artist wey establish de Algerian school for miniature painting insyd 1939, alongside ein bro Mohammed Racim. Racim san establish de nationalist journals Al Djazair insyd 1908, Al Farouq insyd 1913, den Dhou El Fikar insyd 1913.

Biography

Dem Racim born insyd 1884 into distinguish family of artists for Turkish descent wey demma pre-colonial prosperity dem undermine am by de French regime ein of confiscation property. After ein studies, den year pass insyd Madrasa Thaalibia, Racim job for ein family demma workshop insyd wey ein puppy go re-establish as wood-carving den copper-working workshop insyd de Casbah for Algiers wey he engrave demma decorate tombstones. De Racim family win commissions for decorating public buildings den de pavilions for French colonial exhibitions.

Renown calligrapher, Racim san devote einself to life for religion den politics. Insyd 1907 he rip de Mus'haf for de Thaalibia Quran. Insyd 1912 he make trip go Egypt den Syria, wey he carry come various Quran den ein specimens of Arabic illumination. By 1913 he start dey publish papers on politics, den during World War I dem arrest am by de French security for ein political activities; initially dem banish am, den dem condemn am into prison.

Dem release am from prison on 21 September 1921, he begin say he go focus on ein activities insyd de field for apply arts den travel to Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt den France. Alongside ein brother, Mohammed Racim, dem dey include am insyd de Algerian hall for de Pavillon de l'Afrique du nord as exponents for de art of miniature. Victor Barrucand dem mention that: "De beautiful ornament inscriptions for Omar Racim dem dey leave those for de other sections wey ebi far behind. Insyd demma artist bi able to enclose de mystery of thought insyd de elegance of de arabesque".

After ein death insyd 1959, dem bury am insyd de Thaalibia Cemetery for de Casbah of Algiers.