Framed painting on black velvet of Middle Eastern scene

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c. 1940

Overview

Framed velvet painting depicting an Arabian desert landscape. It features a mosque or temple-like building on the left, a group of three figures all looking to the left in the centre, and two palm trees next to a stone table on the right. It appears to be either sunrise or sunset as there are bright colours reflected in the clouds above the mosque.
The painting is created on a black velvet or similar fabric, with the colours appearing to glow against the dark background.
The frame is original and has a gold coloured mat around the painting and then a gold decorative border to the outside. The back has been renovated due to the deterioration of the original, and has a cord for suspension.

Historical information

This style of painting is known as "Orientalist art," which refers to works depicting scenes from the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.

Visiting servicemen and women purchased a variety of souvenirs from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Palestine and The Holy Land while passing through on active service during both world wars.
Some of the more common items were embroideries such as cushion covers, painted artworks on fabric, jewellery made from mother of pearl, metal and timber, and photo albums with wooden covers filled with postcards of local scenes and pressed dried flowers.
There was also a range of trinket boxes, often with hidden drawers, made from the local olive wood and a range of other olive wood items including napkin rings and even a portable book shelf.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00772

Width

595 mm

Height or length

380 mm

Depth

15 mm

Year

c. 1940

Primary significance criteria