Object Description
Large watercolour painting depicting Turkish scholars by A. Rosati
Italian, Early 20th Century
Panel: Height 36cm, width 52cm
Frame: Height 72cm, width 89cm, depth 4.5cm
This sensational watercolour painting depicts two Turkish scholars, who recline in a typical Orientalist interior as they study and discuss the Quran. The figures are beautifully rendered in a sketched, painterly style that harks back to Impressionism, dressed in bright Orientalist robes with ornate detailing. The two men are imbued with contrasting characters, the left-hand figure engaged and leaning forward in discussion, whilst the right reclines in thought.
Their setting is marked with Orientalist signifiers, such as the incense lamp and palm plant in the top right-hand corner. Particularly fine detail has been given to the Persian-style rug, which catches the viewer’s eye with its vibrant hues and repeating geometric motif border. Further geometric designs can be seen on the back wall, which utilises circular and zig-zag mosaic patterning. These motifs are replicated in the beautiful frame. A later addition, the frame complements not only the colour palette of the painting with a bright red base, but also the intricate motifs of the painting with gilt foliate decoration.
The painting is by the Italian artist Alberto Rosati (1893-1971), son of the prolific painter Giulio Rosati (1857-1917). Like his father, Alberto specialised in Orientalist scenes rendered in the watercolour medium. The painting is signed in the top left-corner ‘Alberto Rosati’.
A superb example of Orientalist art with a significantly unusual subject, this fantastic watercolour exemplifies Rosati’s painterly skill, and is a wonderful piece for any Orientalist collector.