Tariq ibn Ziyad was an Ummayad general of Berber origin who made history in the late seventh, early eighth century. Most biographical records position him as a former slave who slowly gained favours before eventually leading the Ummayad army himself. His prominent role in the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula earned him enduring posterity in both the Arabic and Spanish collective imagination. Tariq is mainly known for having led a large army from the Moroccan Northern shore straight into the heart of Spain, to support the heirs of a Wisigoth king against their local rival during the civil war. His legendary journey left his name to the Strait of Gibraltar (from « djebel Tariq », ‘the Mountain of Tariq’) as well as many popular visual representations (Molina 2000).

This painting is characteristic of Afifi’s “Hard Edge” style, which earned him the nickname of the “Egyptian Rouault”. The strong, thick black lines infuse a strong vitality to the scene, depicting Tariq exhorting his troops moments before the invasion of Spain. Afifi (1920-1984) often used his signature technique to reclaim historic battles as a symbol of regional resistance (Almasar Gallery). Under his brush, the Egyptian spirit of revolution is immortalized, rising again after centuries during the agitated period that Afifi witnessed in Egypt during his lifetime.

Almasar Gallery, 2008. Mahmoud Afifi. Accessible at: http://almasargallery.com/mahmoud-afifi-2/

Molina, L. (2000). Ṭāriḳ b. Ziyād. In Bearman, P. J.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C. E.; van Donzel, E. & Heinrichs, W. P. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition, Volume X. Leiden, pp.242-243.