Orientalist oil painting of a mosque in Cairo by Berchère

Orientalist oil painting of a mosque in Cairo by Berchère
French, 19th Century
Canvas: Height 62cm, width 47cm
Frame: Height 83cm, width 70cm, depth 7.5cm
 
This exquisite Orientalist oil painting is by the French artist Narcisse Berchère (1819-1891). Berchère travelled extensively to the Middle East, during which time he painted several notable Orientalist exterior scenes, like this example from the Mayfair Gallery collection.
 
The painting is set in Cairo, Egypt. In the background, the dome and minaret of the Sultan Abu al-'Ila Mosque can be seen, which still stand in Cairo today. The minaret is particularly fine, featuring several balconies and geometric patterning throughout. Under the shade in the foreground are several groups of small figures, who sit in discussion or lead livestock through the street.
 
The painting is superbly rendered, highlighting Berchère’s accomplished skill at the medium. The colour contrasts between the sandy-toned buildings and the dark green trees in the middle ground are particularly fine, with the whole composition set against a brilliant blue sky that is peppered with wisps of cloud.
 
The work is enclosed in a beautifully carved giltwood frame, and is signed in the lower left ‘Berchère’.
 
Effectively capturing the phenomenal architecture of Islamic Cairo in the midday sun, this work would be sure to light up any interior.
 
Provenance:
Exhibited Berchère et l'Orient au Pays d'Etampes. Musée des Beaux Arts, Etampes, 2019
 
Literature:
Prost, B. ‘Artistes modernes –Catalogue illustré des œuvres de N. Berchère’, in Dictionnaire illustré des beaux-arts, Paris, 1885.
 
Artist/Maker: Narcisse Berchère