Object Description
Figurative Orientalist oil painting of the Nile, Cairo by Billet
French, 1877
Panel: Height 38cm, width 58cm
Frame: Height 60cm, width 80cm, depth 8cm
This exquisite oil on panel, painted in 1877 by renowned French artist Étienne Billet (1821–1888), exemplifies his celebrated Orientalist style. Inspired by his 1850s travels to Egypt and Algeria, the work vividly captures life along the Nile in Cairo.
The scene centres on a well with a wooden mechanism, where figures draw water from the river. One, dressed in vivid blue, pulls up a water basket, while another steadies the rope. Nearby, women carry water vessels, one balancing hers on her head. Groups of onlookers relax or observe the activity, surrounded by sunlight, greenery, and flowing water.
In the background, Billet painted trees, hills, and a path leading to a distant village. The tranquil setting complements the vibrant scene in the foreground.
Housed in a gilded frame that enhances its rich colours, the painting is signed ‘E. Billet Le Caire 1877’ in the lower right. Billet’s attention to detail, from the lifelike reflections in the river to the intricate figures, makes this 19th-century masterpiece a prized addition to any fine art collection.