'Arabian Horsemen', Orientalist painting by Schreyer

Distinguished German painter Adolf Schreyer is the artist behind this fine Orientalist work, depicting a troop of Arabian cavalrymen as they approach a small pool of water.

Schreyer was one of the foremost German Orientalist painters of the 19th Century, and was revered especially for his ability to combine realism with newer, impressionistic techniques. He was especially sought after for his dramatic depictions of battle, as well as for his vivid, expressive depictions of horses.

Here, then, we have a typical example of Schreyer's fine work. The soldier and horse in the foreground appear in exceptional detail, with careful attention to the play of light and colour. The figures in the background are rendered using faster, looser brushtrokes, sumptuously capturing some of the energy and excitement of the scene.

The painting is set in a giltwood frame, and is signed 'Ad. Schreyer' to the lower left. There is a plaque at the centre of the frame which reads 'Arabian Horsemen / Adolf Schreyer / 1828-1899'. Finally, there is a retailer's label for 'Dubus' to the reverse of the canvas.

Canvas: Height 59cm, width 96cm
Frame: Height 95.5cm, width 132cm, depth 13cm