Gibran's Gallery

Gibran Khalil Gibran

Gibran Khalil Gibran 1883-1931

Poet, philosopher, and artist, was born in the Lebanese countryside.

His fame and influence spread far beyond his native Lebanon. He is mostly known as the author of the Prophet, and widely regarded as a man of the East who brought a much needed element of spirituality to the West.

The millions of Arabic-speaking people familiar with his writings in that language consider him the genius of his age. His poetry has been translated into more than twenty languages.

His drawings and paintings have been exhibited in the great capitals of the world.

The Prophet and his other books of poetry, illustrated with his mystical drawings, are known and loved by innumerable people who find in them an expression of the deepest impulses of man's heart and mind.

Showing promise in drawing and painting, Gibran was introduced to the Bostonian photographer and artist Fred Holland Day. As Day was experimenting with photography as art, Gibran was photographed on several occasions, sometimes nude. Gibran was then sent back to Lebanon to further his studies at al-Hikma high school in Beirut. His studies required more learning of Arabic, French and literature.

For a short period in 1901, Gibran returned to Boston with his family. However, shortly after in 1902, while traveling to Lebanon as a translator for an American family, Gibran heard the news of his youngest sister's, Sultana, death from tuberculosis and quickly returned home to visit with his family. The following year was no better. Gibran faced two more deaths, his half-brother Butros from tuberculosis and his mother from cancer.

In 1904, Gibran's first picture exhibition was held at Fred Holland Day's studio. This exhibition was the start of many publications which came in the following years, including al-Musiqa; which emphasizes on Arabic music and its various forms, al-Arwah al-Mutamclrrida (Spirits Rebellious); four short stories about the spirit of 'Ara is al-Muruj.