Simon Shahrigian (1911-1989)

Simon Shahrikian was a third generation Armeno-Egyptian Artist.  He was born in Cairo on September 8th, 1911. Hence 2011 was the birth centennial of this famous portraitist. Shahrikian’s grandfather Simon was a priest in Tamzara, a small town to the north of Shabin-Qarahisar. He had six children, the father of our future artist being the youngest one. During 1880s reverend Simon immigrated with his family to Istanbul to improve his and his family’s life conditions. But, after August 1896 the family was scattered as a consequence of the persecutions in the reign of Sultan Abdul-Hamid. Ampagoum went to Plovdiv in

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