Large antique Orientalist painting of Tangier, Morrocco by Herzog

Large antique Orientalist painting of Tangier, Morrocco by Herzog
American/German, Late 19th Century
Canvas: Height 51cm, width 72cm
Frame: Height 67cm, width 87cm, depth 6cm
 
This atmospheric painting, rendered in a dynamic, gestural style, captures a vibrant scene from a Moroccan city, likely Tangiers. The composition places the viewer at an elevated vantage point, looking down upon the bustling foreground where several figures, some sitting atop horses, engage in the practice of falconry. The falcon itself flies through a misty blue sky, adding to the painting’s sense of movement and intrigue. The subject matter is both unusual and captivating, combining figurative, equestrian, and falconry elements, making it a distinctive work of art.
 
Surrounding the figures is lush green foliage, painted in varying shades that give the impression of a rich, verdant landscape. In the distance, the white-washed buildings of Tangiers are visible, situating the viewer in the warm, atmospheric setting of a Moroccan city. The artist’s technique is semi-impressionistic, characterised by loose, gestural brushstrokes that lend a blurred, almost dreamlike quality to the scene. As with many Impressionist works, the full impact of the painting is best appreciated from a distance, where the patches of colour harmonise to create a vibrant, cohesive image.
 
The painting is framed in a beautifully carved giltwood frame. It is signed "H. Herzog Tangiers" in the lower left corner, identifying the artist as Hermann Herzog (1832-1932), a notable German-born whose works are now housed in prestigious collections across Europe and America. A title plaque reading “View of Morocco / Hermann Herzog” is affixed to the frame.
 
This stunning work, painted in a sought-after semi-Impressionist style by a distinguished artist, would make an exceptional addition to any collection.
 
Provenance:
- Sotheby’s Parke-Bernet, New York, 16-17 January 1959, Lot 274
- Rimrock Galleries, Prineville, Oregon
- Sotheby’s New York, 5 December 1980, Lot 91
- The Forbes Collection
 
Exhibited:
- Mexico City, Museo Nacional de San Carlos, Espejismos del Medio Oriente : Delacroix a Moreau, December 1999 - April 2000, no. 53, p. 137
 
Artist/Maker: Hermann Herzog