A Sheikh and his son entering Cairo on their return from a pilgrimage to Mecca
1874
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
139.3 × 244.5 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by a committee of gentlemen, 1878
Gallery location
19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
London, England
Inscription
inscribed in red paint l.l.: RDOWLING / -1874
inscribed in brown paint on reverse: No.1 /
"A Sheikh and his Son / Entering Cairo on his their
(his crossed out) / return from a pilgrimage / to Mecca" / By Robert Dowling / 27 Colaherne Road / West Brompton /
1875
Accession Number
p.306.7-1
Department
Australian Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Cityscapes Human Figures Travel
Subjects (specific)
Cairo (inhabited place) camel (mammal) Egypt (nation) groups of people Orientalism processions sheikhs street scenes
Frame
Original, maker unknown
Frame
The frame on A Sheikh and his son entering Cairo on their return from a pilgrimage to Mecca is contemporary with the painting, which was presented by a committee of gentlemen in 1878, four years after it was painted.
It is possible the frame was made by William Benham, whose label noting frame making activities appears on the stretcher, but he may equally have been a supplier of the stretched canvas and is more known as an artist colourman.
The painting was shown at the Royal Academy London in 1875 and it is likely it was shown in this frame. It travelled to Launceston, Tasmania in 1877 and then to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
The frame is reminiscent of the Vokins frame built for Edwin Long’s painting, Queen Ester, from 1878, making use of composition ornament to link the decoration of the frame with the subject and detail of the painting.
Frame Details
Framemaker
Unknown - 19th century
Date
c.1874
Materials
timber, composition and gold leaf
Frame Condition
Good original condition