Object Description
Orientalist oil painting of a Jerusalem street by Ellis
English, Late 19th Century
Canvas: Height 26cm, width 21cm
Frame: Height 46.5cm, width 41.5cm, depth 7cm
This charming Orientalist scene is by the English artist Paul H. Ellis (fl. 1882-1908). Exhibiting at renowned institutions such as the Royal Academy over the course of his career, Ellis was a prolific painter of Orientalist scenes.
The painting depicts a bustling street in Jerusalem, identified by the inscription ‘Street Scene / Jerusalem’ on the reverse of the canvas. Filled with warm golden light, the street is filled with a variety of figures, some sitting on the cobbled stones whilst others process through the street. A large camel in the right foreground provides a focal point amongst the figures. The surrounding environment is particularly well-rendered, with the open windows, impressive architecture, and sand-coloured stone effectively setting the scene.
The painting is rendered with an almost sketched quality, that expertly conveys the bustling atmosphere. The artist’s use of light is also particularly exceptional, with the vibrant blue sky in the upper half of the canvas contrasted by the shadowed patches on the street below.
Ensconced in an elegantly carved giltwood frame, the painting is signed in the lower left ‘Paul H. Ellis’.
This painting is an exceptional example of Orientalist painting in the 19th century, and would make a fine addition to any interior.