'In the Harem', large and rare Orientalist painting by Zatzka

This fine painting is by the Austrian artist Hans Zatzka. Zatzka, who worked during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, is better known for his traditional genre scenes, making this Orientalist painting a particularly rare and unusual example of his work.

The painting depicts three lavishly dressed women in a harem setting. The central woman sits on the floor, her arms raised over her head in a seductive manner; she is flanked by two companions, one seated on a divan and another standing, holding an abundant bouquet of flowers on her shoulder. The women wear light and revealing dress, accented with glistening beads and bands of gold. Their surroundings are decadent, complete with oriental rugs, an incense burner, plates of fruit—from which an exotic blue bird feeds—and flowers. The painterly manner is fine and fluid, with delicate brushstrokes employed to render a variety of luscious textures, while the colour palette is subdued yet vibrant, which rich tones of red and blue predominating.

The painting, which is signed lower right ‘H. Zatzka’, is contained within a carved giltwood frame.

Frame: Height 92cm, width 108cm, depth 9cm
Canvas: Height 63cm, width 79.5cm, depth 2cm