This expressive genre scene, executed in oil on canvas at the close of the 19th century, represents a magnificent example of European Romantic Orientalism. The painting transports the viewer into the mesmerizing atmosphere of the enigmatic East. At the centre of the scene is depicted a bustling street of an Eastern city with buildings, smoothly guiding our gaze toward a soaring graceful minaret with domes, set against massive mountain ranges immersed in a blue-grey haze. Masterfully employing contrast and the colour palette, the artist beautifully conveys the depth of the composition. Such genre canvases enjoyed wide demand among collectors of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking to preserve the memory of their journey through the East or to impart intriguing accents of Eastern mystery and charm to their interior.
DETAILS:
Artist: Unsigned, unidentified European professional painter.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Image dimensions (approx.): 39.5 x 68 cm (15.6 x 26.8 inches).
Condition: Overall in good condition with wear, and rubbing to the old yellowed varnish.
Frame: Unframed.
Provenance: Swedish private collection.
Shipping: Approx. weight 0.5 kg; packed approx. weight 2-3 kg. Secure, insured worldwide shipping available.
Notes: Please refer to the high-resolution photographs that form part of the condition report. Colours and tonal values may vary when viewed in person, depending on viewing conditions and ambient lighting.