‘Three Friends’, large Orientalist oil painting by Adam Styka

This impressive Orientalist oil painting is the work of Polish-French artist Adam Styka (1890–1959). Born in Poland, Styka later moved to France, where he studied at the prestigious French Academy of Fine Arts. His paintings were widely exhibited in renowned venues such as the Salon de Paris and the Champs-Élysées, gaining recognition across Europe and America. His extensive travels to North Africa deeply influenced his Orientalist style, as exemplified by this remarkable piece in Mayfair Gallery’s collection.

Titled ‘Trois Amis’ (Three Friends), the painting depicts a tranquil desert scene featuring a white Arabian horse, a seated figure in traditional attire, and a dog. The three are gathered around a tented encampment, likely resting for the night, the scene possibly happening at sunset. The older man, seated cross-legged on the ground, appears lost in deep contemplation. The noble white horse stands tethered to the tent, while the sleepy dog lies nearby, next to the remnants of a recently extinguished campfire, with smoke still drifting upwards.

In the background, a vast expanse of mountains and rolling hills enhances the painting’s sense of scale, reinforcing the isolation and grandeur of the desert landscape. Rendered in vibrant colours and rich detail, the composition captures the warm tones and vast landscapes characteristic of Styka’s work.

Framed in an elegant giltwood frame, the painting is signed in the lower right, ‘Adam Styka’, with its title inscribed on the reverse.

A superb example of Styka’s distinctive artistic style, this exquisite painting would make a remarkable addition to any collection of Orientalist art.

Canvas: Height 61cm, width 73cm
Frame: Height 78cm, width 91cm, depth 5cm