‘Porte de Biskra’, antique Orientalist oil painting by P. Lazerges

This exceptional oil on canvas is the work of renowned French Orientalist painter Paul Jean Baptiste Lazerges (1845–1902). The son of esteemed artist Hippolyte Lazerges (1817–1887), he continued the family’s artistic legacy with masterful compositions that capture the essence of the Middle East. 

Titled ‘Porte de Biskra’ (Biskra Gate), this painting offers a distinctive perspective of the gateway in Biskra, Algeria. Unlike many Orientalist works that focus on human activity, Lazerges shifts attention to the architectural grandeur of the gate itself. Beyond the passageway, a solitary figure—possibly a woman, as suggested by her attire—stands in the distance, adding a subtle human presence to the composition. The artist skilfully employs light and shadow to create depth, while the earthy tones of the architecture harmonize beautifully with the ornate, carved giltwood frame, making it feel like an extension of the artwork itself. Accents of blue sky and distant green palm trees further enrich the scene, adding contrast and visual intrigue.

The painting is signed, inscribed, and dated in the lower right ‘Paul Lazerges / Biskra 1894’, and the frame is adorned with an artist/title plaque.

Capturing the beauty and mystique of the passageway, this remarkable piece is a distinctive and refined addition to any Orientalist art collection.

Canvas: Height 39cm, width 46cm
Frame: Height 65cm, width 73cm, depth 10cm