Who is Mohammed Racim? Google Doodle pays tribute to Algerian artist

The search engine honours the painter with an illustration on what would have been his 125th birthday

Algerian artist Mohammed Racim has been honoured with a Google Doodle to celebrate what would have been his 125th birthday on June 24. Courtesy Google

Google paid tribute to Algerian artist Mohammed Racim in one of its signature Doodles.

An illustration of the painter can be seen on the search engine's homepage on Thursday, to celebrate what would have been his 125th birthday on June 24.

The regional Doodle can be viewed in Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and, of course, Algeria.

Racim, who died in 1975, is seen holding a paintbrush in the illustration, as he poses against a background reminiscent of the painting techniques he is renowned for.

Who was Mohammed Racim?

Racim was born on June 24, 1896 to a family of distinguished artisans in Algiers. He began working in a drawing office at 14, where he copied the designs of carpets, copper ornaments, wood sculptures and Arab embroideries.

Each of these helped influence his craft but it was his introduction to Persian miniatures, an ancient form of literary illustration, that formed the foundation for his artwork.

In 1914, he met French Orientalist painter Nasreddine Dinet, who later commissioned Racim to create original illustrations for one of his books.

Throughout the years, Racim continued to focus on creating vibrant miniatures. He fused traditional Persian and Mughal painting techniques to reinvigorate Maghrebi cultural customs, helping redefine the global outlook on the Arab world through art.

One of his paintings, 1931's The Rais, features a 17th-century Algerian captain in a piece that measures just under one square foot, an example of how his art helped revitalise Algerian pride, which was key in the country's independence movement.

In 1933, he became the first Algerian recipient of the Grand Artistic Prize of Algeria. By the late 1930s, he became a major figure in Algerian culture. Along with his brother Oman, who was also an artist, the duo founded the Algerian School for Miniature Painting, which still exists to this day.

Today, much of his personal collection is displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers.

What are Google Doodles?

Google Doodles feature sporadically throughout the year, transforming Google’s traditional logo into an animation to pay tribute to an important figure or moment in history. The doodles can also mark seasonal or celebratory events, such as International Women's Day.

Click through our gallery below to see other regional Google Doodles:

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  A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google

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  Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous

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  Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday

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  UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.

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  Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.

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  Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.

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  Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.

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  Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.

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  Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.

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  Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.

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  Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.

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  The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.

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  A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.

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  Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.

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  Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.

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  Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.

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  Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.

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  Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.

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  Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.

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  Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.

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  A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.

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  A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.

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  Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.

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  Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.

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  Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.

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  Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.

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  Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.