New Year's Eve by Ghausuddin, 1960.

As the new Persian year arrived, I found myself reflecting on a painting I discovered several years ago on eBay, Ghausuddin’s New Year's Eve (1960). The energy, color, and ability of the artwork to capture a moment both familiar and timeless struck me deeply. Now, looking back on Nowruz, I return to this painting with renewed appreciation for how it embodies the spirit of celebration and community central to the new year celebration in Afghanistan. It feels like the perfect occasion to honor the incredible talent of the artist and the cultural richness of his work.

Ghausuddin, a prolific Afghan painter active in mid-20th-century Kabul, had an extraordinary gift for translating everyday life onto canvas. New Year's Eve showcases his skill, portraying the bustling energy of a market in full swing on the eve of Nowruz. The painting brims with movement, human interaction, and the warmth of a communal celebration. You can almost hear the lively chatter of the crowd, smell the sizzling street food, and feel the anticipation in the air. Through his masterful use of perspective, light, and composition, Ghausuddin creates a vibrant scene that invites the viewer into the heart of the festivities.

The painting’s composition offers an abundance of detail to explore. In the foreground, figures gather around a food stall, preparing and selling fried fish and Jalebi—two staples of the new year in Afghanistan. The large cooking pan serves as a visual anchor, drawing the eye to a man in a striking red turban who runs the stall. His focused posture, leaning forward in concentration, conveys a sense of purpose and motion. The market scene extends into the middle ground, bustling with people engaging in trade and conversation. In the background, the crowd dissolves into a blur of activity, enhancing the lively atmosphere. Ghausuddin’s careful arrangement of figures and objects creates an immersive sense of space and movement.

The painting technique itself enhances its vitality. Ghausuddin’s bold, expressive brushstrokes evoke a feeling of constant motion. He avoids excessive refinement, opting instead for thick, textured strokes that capture the rugged surfaces of market stalls, the folds of garments, and the flickering light of the scene. His approach recalls that of Impressionist painters, who prioritized capturing the essence of a moment over precise detail. This impasto technique, where paint is applied thickly, adds tangibility to the artwork, you can imagine feeling the ridges of the paint on the canvas.

Color plays a crucial role in shaping the painting’s atmosphere. Warm earth tones dominate the composition, with reds and ochres in clothing contrasting against the cooler blues and greens of the background. These rich hues underscore the warmth of the market, the heat of the cooking food, and the vibrant energy of the crowd. The color palette doesn’t merely depict reality; it evokes an immersive mood, pulling the viewer into the celebration.

What makes New Year's Eve so compelling is its ability to encapsulate not only a scene but a feeling, the anticipation, togetherness, and joy of cultural tradition. Nowruz has long been more than just a holiday in Afghanistan; it signifies renewal, unity, and festivity. Families gather, communities celebrate, and food takes center stage in the festivities. However, Nowruz has not been immune to controversy, with political shifts occasionally challenging its place in Afghan society. This is what makes Ghausuddin’s painting so invaluable, it preserves a moment in time, safeguarding a tradition that has persevered through adversity. In this way, New Year's Eve transcends art; it becomes cultural history.

Ghausuddin’s work demonstrates his talent for storytelling through paint. He captures movement, texture, and emotion in a way that makes his scenes come alive. New Year's Eve is not merely a depiction of a market; it is a celebration of people, their traditions, and the essence of community. His expressive brushwork, keen sense of composition, and bold use of color combine to create a timeless masterpiece. Reflecting on this painting now, years after I first encountered it, I am reminded of the power of art to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage. Ghausuddin’s work is more than just aesthetically remarkable, it offers a window into a world, a moment, and a tradition that continues to resonate today.

MUHEB ESMAT