Abstract:
A brief note about this remarkable architect and his collection at Rare Books and Special Collection Library - American University in Cairo:
Ramses Wissa Wassef was born on November 11, 1911 in Cairo-Egypt into a Coptic family. His family’s interest in arts, crafts and architecture influenced him deeply, encouraging his appreciation of beauty and harmony. Later on, his passion for sculpture was boosted through the influence of Habib Gorgi, father of his wife Shophie, whom he married in 1948.
In 1935 he received his credentials as an architect at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris ranking first among his class for his graduation project: “A Potter’s House in Old Cairo”. This project reflected his lifelong interest in reviving ancient Egyptian arts and crafts. Years later, his dream became a reality when he established the wide-world renowned Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center in Harraniyah: http://www.wissawassef.com/
He died in 1974 at a relatively young age. In the years since his death, his wife, two daughters and their families have perpetuated his legacy promoting his tapestry, batik, ceramic work, and his architectural legacy, which was donated to the Rare Books and Special Collections Library (Regional Architecture Collections) at AUC where his intellectual legacy is preserved and can be accessed through our web page:
http://digitalcollections.aucegypt.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15795coll5
