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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Greek Slave




Artist: Jean Leon Gerome
Title: Greek Slave (1870)
Medium: Oil
Size:

I spotted this beautifully rendered piece via Gandalf's Gallery and got very excited, since I have not seen this Gerome painting before. An unfinished painting it shows the rough drawing beneath the umber wash in. I absolutely love this stage, where it is clearly apparent that the viewer is looking at a work in progress,  yet sees the figure almost photorealistic. 

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Thursday, February 09, 2012

The Rug Merchant



Artist: Amadeo Simonetti
Title: The Rug Merchant
Medium: Watercolor and Pencil on Paper
Size: 29 3/4 x 21 1/4 in (75.7 x 54.1cm)


When I lived in Iran we would often go to the bazaar and spend time at the stores of rug merchants. I loved seeing how these big and heavy Persian rugs would be rolled out for visitors to inspect. The handlers made it always look so effortlessly.





While the bargaining was underway, we would often sip tea and eat fresh sweets, making the whole experience a lot of fun. To this day, I love going into bazaars and searching out carpet merchants. The colors of the carpets are so vibrant and the intricate designs always amazing.




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Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Humble Beauty





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Artist: Enzie Shahmiri 
Title: Humble Beauty 
Medium: Oil on Panel 
Size: 6 x 6 inches 

 Orientalist artists often painted horses, donkeys and other exotic animals which they encountered during their travels. I decided to paint Humble Beauty in a non descriptive place and put the entire emphasize on the horse itself to emphasize not only it's beauty but strength as well.

 
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Circassian Guards




Artist: Stanislaus von Chebowski (1835 - 1884)
Title: The Circassian Guards
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 21 7/8 x 16.25 in





Stanislaus was born in Poland and received his formal art training at the Fine Arts Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was one of Jean Leone Gerome's pupils, where he most likely received first hand exposure to Orientalist subject matter.


He also worked as an attache at the Court of Sultan Abdulaziz in Turkey, where he saw middle eastern architectural elements first hand. Many of his paintings done in oil or water color depict historical themes and the people of Turkey.

In this painting the artist chose to paint two Circassian guards who wear the traditional fur trimmed hats and long coats associated as their uniform. The attention to detail is lovely, but what I find most interesting is that the artist chose to highlight the background, rather than place the first figure in a more brightly lit space.

Both men are meant to be guards, yet only one of them - the younger has a proud stance and is holding or wearing all his weapons. The older man in the background seems to have a more resigned stance and seems to look out at the viewer rather than at his companion.

It is an intriguing composition and I wonder what the artist's message was.


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Friday, January 20, 2012

Petite Somme painted by Enzie Shahmiri


http://www.pluss.es/101732559467217160653/
I love the vivid colors found in Orientalist paintings and every once in a while pick an Old Master, like this Frederick Arthur Bridgman piece to paint and learn from. This painting was done quiet some time ago, but I am posting this because I like you to know that prints are available for purchase here.


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Friday, December 16, 2011

Young Girl with a Gazelle




Artist: Saint Pierre Gaston
Title: Young Girl with a Gazelle
Medium:
Size:



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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Making Tea in Algiers



Artist: Georg Wilhelm Timm
Title: Making Tea in Algiers
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 16 x 13 in
  Making Tea in Algiers

An Algerian girl sits crossed legged on the floor most likely waiting for her tea to steep. Her gaze is directed towards her guest  making the scene inviting for the viewer. The painter studied under Horace Vernet in France (1843) and was most likely introduced the Orientalist movement at that time. He travelled to Algiers in 1845, before being forced to return to his native homeland Russia.

Making Tea in Algiers of Tea Pot

Moroccan-style mint tea is now commonly served all through the West Arab World (North Africa). It is served not only at mealtimes but all through the day, and it is especially a drink of hospitality, commonly served whenever there are guests. Unlike Moroccan food, cooked by women, this tea is traditionally a man's affair: prepared by the head of the family. It is served to guests, and it is impolite to refuse it. Source: Wikipedia 




Making Tea in Algiers Detail of Cups In Arab countries large trays were used to carry the dainty tea cups or tea glasses. Often a servant would walk around the room offering the tea to anyone who would like to quench their thirst. Tea was poured in small quantities meant to be drank hot and to this day it is not uncommon to have more tea served as soon as the first one is finished.
Detail of Making Tea in Algiers









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Monday, November 14, 2011

A Fountain by the Sea in Turkey

Fontaineau bord de la mer en Turquie Detail1

Artist: Germain Fabius Brest (1823-1900)
Title: A Fountain by the Sea in Turkey/Fontaineau bord de la mer en Turquie
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 8 /13 x 15 inches

In Turkey public fountains were often the water supply for the community. Throughout the Ottoman reign  sultans and their closest relatives would endow the construction of a highly ornate fountain as a sign of their countries prosperity. Due to the elaborate ornamentations these structures would eventually become an important part of Turkey's architectural tradition  .

Fontaineau bord de la mer en Turquie

The artist must have seen this fountain by the sea during one of his travels to Turkey and inspired to create. this panoramic painting.
  Fontaineau bord de la mer en Turquie Detail2

The handling of the reflection on the water surface is superbly achieved and adds a lovely lively atmosphere to the painting.

Fontaineau bord de la mer en Turquie Detail3

Note hoe none of the faces are rendered. Unlike Jean Leone Gerome whose paintings show every minute detail, Brest has chosen to concentrate on the overall setting and impression he must have received when he first glimpsed this setting.



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Sunday, November 13, 2011

The New Favorite




The New Favorite


Artist : Fernand Cormon (French, 1845 – 1924)
Title: The New Favorite
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size:  19 1/4 by 15 inches

 

The New Favorite Detail


Cormon was a French painter born in Paris. He became a pupil of Alexandre Cabanel, Eugène Fromentin, and Jean-François Portaels, and was once considered one of the leading historical painters of modern France. 


The New Favorite Detail 2

"At an early age he attracted attention for the perceived sensationalism in his art, although for a time his powerful brush dwelled with particular delight on scenes of bloodshed, such as the Murder in the Seraglio (1868) and the Death of Ravara, Queen of Lanka at the Toulouse Museum. The Musée d'Orsay has his Cain flying before Jehovah's Curse; and for the Mairie of the fourth arrondissement of Paris he executed in grisaille a series of panels: Birth, Death, Marriage, War, etc. A Chiefs Funeral, and a series of large paintings for the Museum of natural history in Paris with themes from the Stone Age, occupied him for several years. He was appointed to the Legion of Honor in 1880. Subsequently he also devoted himself to portraiture." Source Wikipedia

The New Favorite Detail 3




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Wednesday, November 09, 2011

A Tangerian Beauty





Artist: José Tapiró i Baró (1836-1913)
Title: A Tangerian Beauty
Signed:
Medium: Watercolor/Aquarelle
Size: 26 x 18 1/2 in.
Spanish Orientalist

This image was provided by my Spanish artist friend Alejandro Cabeza


Tapiró Baró painted a number of Orientalist images, the result of time spent in Tangier, the Moroccan city just across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, where he eventually died. In this vivid watercolor, the silken gleam of the headscarf, the glint of gold, the glow of pearls, and the careful study of a particular physiognomy contribute to the remarkable immediacy of the image. The frame is original to this work, and apart from several decorative motifs, contains the number 1309, which probably refers to the Muslim calendar of the Hegira, which started counting in 622 AD and commemorates the prophet Muhammed's departure from Mecca. If converted to the Gregorian calendar, the year would be about 1891 AD.
Source: Dahesh Museum


To see other works by this artist visit my José Tapiró i Baró blog.

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