Being an artist in Russia has not been an easy task for the past century and a half. Since 1920, when Soviet Rule began, the censorship and strict guidelines prohibiting negative portrayals of the government made artists true voices impossible to be heard. Before that, the tsars had a good deal of control over what art could be made. With all of this in mind, Russian artists of all kinds have produced some of the most noteworthy pieces in all of history. In order to accomplish this many were required to leave their home country and find the freedom to express themselves elsewhere.

George Aleef was born in Russia in 1887. He was in the national army and served as a bodyguard to Tsar Nicholas II until the Bolshevik Revolution. During this time he became a professional painted. He escaped the new rulers by relocating to Istanbul. He didn’t stay here, but later moved to Palestine where he stayed until the Palestine Exodus occurred in 1948. He lived in Jordan until 1968, and finally ended up in Lebanon. The artist died here, in 1970, at the age of 83.

Aleef’s paintings show his journeys through countries that became riddled with strife. He used both oils and watercolors to portray his visions of major historical movements. Many of his works depict mosques, synagogues, and churches coexisting peacefully. He added an Arabic distinction to many of his works. Many of his works are highly valued and honored in the museums and also private collections of the countries where he lived, including the Jordan Royal Court. During his day, he had many exhibitions in many places, such as Jerusalem, Beirut, and Ammam.

While in Jordan, George Aleef set up an art teaching studio. Many other prominent artists studied under him, including Mohanna Durra, Rafiq Lahham, and Suha Katibah Noursi. This definitely helped to spark a local art movement in the early fifties.

The Aleef style is usually referred to as neo-classical, which gives a nod to his taking influence from the classics of westerner painters. Pretty much all of his painting display a certain naivety with their unaffectedness and trueness to nature. His subject matter is most often described as orientalism, which is a term in the art world known to mean a westerner’s interpretation of eastern culture. His landscapes are still quite popular. This combination of style, simplicity, and important subjects make his works quite pleasing to the eye as well as telling the story of a bygone era.

There is not much written about this illustrious painter, perhaps because of his almost refugee lifestyle and his humbleness. Nevertheless, the elusive George Aleef has influenced the art world from within many different cultures, from west to east, and from the past into the future. His pieces truly are national treasures where they reside. Though he was born in Russia, he was adopted by the Arabic people. He honored them and their cultures in his works. All the while, they have returned the favor by preserving his memory and his art.