The father of modern Egyptian sculpture, Mahmoud Mokhtar died March 28, 1934.

Mokhtar was one of the influential founders of the Egyptian Art movement. 

Mahmoud Mokhtar embodied the legend of the common boy from the countryside predestined to the life of an artist. Dedicating his talent to Egypt, he translated his hopes for his country’s independence into sculptures for all audiences, creating work that was strikingly modern but steeped in Egypt’s rich heritage. The artist died of leukemia in 1934, but managed in his short career to create works that inspire Egypt to this day. 
MAHMOUD MOKHTAR – Artists | Dalloul Art Foundation

 

Mahmoud Mokhtar (1891-1934), Sculptor
Released by Egyptian post in 1984 and 1991

Mokhtar’s short-lived life & career were intensely influenced by his early rural childhood, his first encounter with Cairo’s architecture, Egypt’s ancient sculpture, and exposure to European aesthetic standards following his brief stay in Paris – Mokhatr weaved all of his influences & backgrounds to perpetuate Egyptian nationalism. During his visits to Egypt, the pioneer sculptor was affected by the political scene of the 1919 revolution against British rule. He modelled a small statue of a female peasant & a sphinx to reflect Egypt’s prowess against the coloniser naming it Nahdet Misr (Egypt’s Awakening). Following 8 years of funding and production, a large-scale of Nahdet Misr was displayed at Bab El-Hadid Square (Now Ramses Square) becoming the first Egyptian sculpture to be publicly exhibited & throwing Mokhtar in a robust spotlight 
Mahmoud Mokhtar | Picasso Art Gallery – Egypt

See also Mahmoud Mokhtar