Object Description
Large Orientalist painting of an Egyptian landscape by Löffler
German, c. 1850
Canvas: Height 103cm, width 148cm
Frame: Height 116cm, width 159.5cm, depth 8cm
This superb oil painting is by the German artist August Löffler (1822-1866). Löffler is renowned for his Orientalist landscapes like this painting from the Mayfair Gallery collection, which were inspired by his extensive travels to North Africa and the Middle East. Today, his work is housed in notable public collections including the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
The painting depicts an Egyptian landscape, identified by the faint pyramids in the background which add a magisterial touch to the work. The foreground is dominated by a group of palm trees surrounded by vibrant green foliage, which thrive despite the arid desert environment. The contrasts between the deep green foliage, the bright blue sky, and the warm-toned sand banks create a stunning colour palette that would suit most interiors. In the middle ground and background, groups of figures and camels can be seen in rest and in motion, adding subtle reminders of the Orientalist environment.
The handling of light in this work is particularly exceptional. The central section of the canvas appears to be specifically illuminated, suggesting that the sun is shining down from directly above the scene. As the light reflects off of the white clouds, the green shrubbery, and the calm lake in the background, the viewer can almost feel the engulfing heat of the midday sun.
Surrounded by a giltwood frame, the painting is signed in the lower right corner ‘Aug. Loeffler’. Beneath the signature ‘München’ is very faintly inscribed, as well as the indistinct date ‘185*’.
Painted with expert technique, this beautiful oil painting is a masterful depiction of the Egyptian landscape through the eyes of a renowned Orientalist painter.