Portrait of an Egyptian Fellah
1856
Jean-Léon Gérôme was a superstar of the Academic art world and a key figure in Orientalism, a movement obsessed with depicting the Middle East. This 1856 profile of an Egyptian 'fellah' (a peasant farmer) reveals his camera-like attention to detail, even in a simple sketch. The delicate pencil strokes capture the texture of the turban and the strong jawline, likely serving as a study for one of his grand, exotic oil paintings. The Arabic inscription in the corner adds a layer of authenticity to this intimate portrait of 19th-century Egyptian life.
- Technique
- Graphite drawing
- Material
- Paper
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