The bright Turkish interior, which Gerome has chosen for his scene, gives
it a colorful setting. The walls are covered with rich blue-green tiles.
The brilliant garment thrown over the seat at the right, and the towel
hanging above it give the complementary colors. Against this vivid ground
are played the cool flesh tones of the seated woman and the sleek, dusky
skin of the negro attendant. Further color and exotic interest are given
by the gaudy bangles and kerchief of the slave.
Gerome is usually classed with Bouguereau among the semi-classicists of
the XIX century in France. In his work, we find the strong interest in
contours, in reposeful composition, and in smooth finish for which the
academy stood, while his subjects take us to the romantic Orient and
spread before us the pageantry of history.—Gift of Mrs. Frederick B. Wells
in memory of her father, Frank H. Peavey.
[The Storming of Tel-el-Kebir. Alphonse de Neuville, 1836-1883]