Object Description
Antique Orientalist street scene oil painting by C. Pata
Swiss, 1881
Canvas: Height 55cm, width 46cm
Frame: Height 78cm, width 69cm, depth 8cm
This superb Orientalist painting is by the Italian-Swiss artist Cherubino Pata (1827-1899). Known as the most notable pupil and assistant to Gustave Courbet, this scene is an unusual departure from Pata’s oeuvre, which features mostly natural landscapes. It is a fine work of the Orientalist genre that exemplifies the artist’s technical skill.
The painting is set on an Algerian street, and depicts a merchant and his stall. The seller himself stands behind the counter, and looks directly at the viewer as if encouraging them to buy his wares. He is accompanied by a small child, who sits on a crate at the front of the stall. No additional figures populate the scene, creating a sense of calm and quiet.
The most eye-catching element of the composition is undoubtedly the bright oranges that are on sale. Pata has done well to make them appear enticing: placed centrally, the abundant baskets of glossy fruit stand out against the otherwise neutral palette. Other wares include jewellery, baskets, and urns.
The stall is set within large, white-washed walls. The pavement is similarly pale, but rendered in a gestural impasto which adds texture to the scene. The artist is known for utilising patches of both impasto and flatness for a varied composition, which is used to great effect here.
Ensconced in a carved giltwood frame, the painting is signed to the lower right ‘C. PATA 1881’. The front of the frame features an artist’s label, whilst the reverse is a worn label which indicates the subject: ‘Marchand d’oranges à Alge(rie)’.
The calm atmosphere of this Orientalist scene is a contrast to the bustling street scenes typical of the genre, making this piece a highly desirable and unusual piece for collectors.