In a Turkish garden
(c. 1890)
Medium
oil on wood panel
Measurements
73.8 × 63.5 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Mr John H. Connell, 1914
© the Artist's Estate. All Rights Reserved / Bridgeman Images
Gallery location
19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Frank Brangwyn was a prolific artist, with a craftsmanlike attitude to his work. He regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy, London from 1885 onwards. He excelled in colour and the complex organization of figures in his vast mural compositions. During the 1890s Brangwyn travelled often in Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. Here, three exotically dressed women are taking tea on a roof garden overlooking Damascus. This painting belongs to the genre of small Eastern subjects executed by Brangwyn during the 1890s. These early pictures were usually painted in a low key, influenced by Whistler, but here Brangwyn has expanded his palette to include strong greens and bright oranage.
Artwork Details
Inscription
inscribed in brown paint l.c.l.: F. Brangwyn
Accession Number
658-2
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Leisure, Games and Sport Relationships and Interactions
Subjects (specific)
Damascus (inhabited place) gardens (open spaces) hookahs (smoking equipment) painterliness smoking (activity) Syria (nation) water pipes women (female humans)
Provenance
Collection of John H. Connell (1860–1952), and his wife Emily (1864–1913), Melbourne, until her death, 1913; gift of John H. Connell, to the NGV, 1914.
Exhibited Sir Frank Brangwyn RA, 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Mildura, 1986, no. 17.
Frame
The frame takes the form of a Louis XV revival frame, the swept leading edge and strong centre and corner ornament are definitive features. The frame is built by applying composition mouldings to a basic ogee timber profile.
Frame Details
Framemaker
Unknown - 19th century
Date
c.1890
Materials
timber, composition, gold leaf
Frame Condition
good original condition