Eugène Fromentin

(French, 1820-1876)

Audience chez un Khalifat, Sahara

Footnotes

Literature
James Thompson and Barbara Wright, La Vie et l'oeuvre d'Eugène Fromentin, Paris, 1987, p. 171, illustrated.

Eugene Fromentin was born in La Rochelle in December 1820 and studied under Louis Cabat (1812-1893). He was also a well respected author, publishing a celebrated book on Dutch and Flemish painting, Les Maîtres d'Autrefois ('The Old Masters') to great acclaim in 1876. An initial visit to Algeria was followed by another trip in 1852, when he accompanied an archaeological mission. This journey gave Fromentin the opportunity to study the local population and culture, which provided him with inspiration and subject matter that was to characterise his work until his untimely death at the age of 56, in 1876. Heavily influenced by the Orientalist master Eugene Delacroix, Fromentin chose to depict real events: camel trains, hunting scenes, Arab horsemen riding through stormy deserts and at evening prayer. He did not shy away from more distressing subjects such as funeral scenes or the effects of drought.

In the present picture, executed in 1860, and a larger version of the work on panel which was offered at Sotheby's London, 24 April, 2012, lot 27, a group of horsemen are gathered in front of a mosque; one of their number delivers news to the seated caliph as a guard dressed in red looks on. The languid nature of the seated figures to the right is in stark contrast to the more agitated demeanour of the horsemen who appear to be awaiting orders. The tension is further enhanced by the whispering couple leaning against the wall in the background and the suspicious sideways glance of the central figure as he climbs the step. The picture is beautifully lit by strong sunshine and blue sky. Every detail is carefully picked out and adds to the composition – beautifully rendered drapery, discarded shoes, a pile of weapons - all carefully considered to complete the narrative.