Large Orientalist oil painting of Bedouins by Alphons Leopold Mielich

This wonderful oil painting is by the renowned Austrian Orientalist painter, Alphons Leopold Mielich (1863-1929).

The painting depicts a charming scene of a Bedouin family in a desert. In the foreground stands a mother and a father holding their child. Both parents are looking with awe at their child who is dressed in a pale pink, and white garment. The male figure’s face is turned towards the child. His head is adorned with vibrant yellow, blue and red cloth, similar in colours to his shoes. A white textile is draped around his body under which bright blue and pink clothes appear.

The mother is holding a bucket most likely with water for the child. Dressed in dark clothing her headscarf is expertly rendered in shades of green, red and yellow creating a superb contrast against the black dress.

In the background, Mielich painted a tent made up of various large textile pieces, around which are the protagonists’ other possessions. The limited, yet vibrant colour palette stands out brilliantly against the pale brown desert and the bright blue clear sky.

The painting is framed in a carved giltwood frame and signed in the lower right ‘Alphonse Mielich’.

Born in 1863, Mielich studied in Paris, London and Munich furthering his skills as an artist. After his military career ended prematurely due to poor health in 1887, he began his travels throughout the Orient. During this time, he visited places such as Egypt, Palestine and Algeria. Mielich’s travels hugely influenced his Orientalist works for which he is famous, such as the outstanding painting in Mayfair Gallery’s collection.

Beautifully painted with great attention to detail, this painting would make an exceptional addition to one’s art collection.

Canvas: Height 69cm, width 110cm
Frame: Height 83.5cm, width 126cm, depth 4cm