Ludwig Deutsch: October 2007

Monday, October 8, 2007

The Learned 1901

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Title: The Learned (l'Érudit), 1901
Signed lower left L. Deutsch 1901
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size: 100.3x71cm

The Fortune Teller 1927

Artist:Ludwig Deutsch
Signed lower left L. Deutsch 1927
Title: The Fortune Teller (le Diseur de bonne aventure), 1927
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size:
Austrian Orientalist

Musical Interlude 1932

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Signed upper left L. Deutsch Paris 1932
Title: Musical Interlude (Intermède musical), 1932
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size: 78.7x55.9cm
Austrian Orientalist

Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Palace Guard (1900-02)

Signed lower left L. Deutsch
The Palace Guard (1900-02)
oil on panel/huile sur panneau
31.25x23.75in. (79.5x60.3cm)

In the present painting Deutsch is at the height of his powers. The figure of the guard exudes pride and grandeur and his pose in unyielding and commanding. This same figure appears in another work that bears the same title from 1900, which is currently in the Nadj Collection. A number of Deutsch's favorite props, such as the Indo-Persian helmet and shield as well as the exquisitely embroidered green silk fabric, appear in both compositions.

A study for the present painting illustrates the astonishingly exact and detailed planning involved. Deutsch produced many sketches and color studies before moving forward with a composition, and it is apparent that with each stage of planning and execution he aimed for perfection.

Deutsch's use of architecture is similar to a stage set, as it utilizes to help reinforce the human figure. In his composition of the palace guard, Deutsch frequently used columns, gateways, exquisitely worked masonry and marbles to accentuate the might and glory of his sitters.

Source Christie's Catalog New York April 2006, p. 36

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Signed upper left L. Deutsch Paris 1893
Title: The Palace Guard 1893
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size: 25.5x18.5in. (64.8x47cm)

Although the model in the present work from 1893 is different than the one used for the 'Palace Guard of 1892', many of the architectural details, garments, arms and armor appear to be the same. Working from live for this artist meant that he could observe minute details and capture them in his work. Thus having props, which he had gathered through his trip to the Middle East became an invaluable tool to be used over and over throughout different paintings.

The intensely detailed depiction of the guard enhances by his isolated framing produce a psychologically penetrating image. By capturing the slightly quizzical element to his expression, Deutsch conveys the nobility, strength and grace that were the essence of a palace guard. As the light glimmers on his mighfar's chain mail, the Persian brass shield leaning against the white marble column and reflects across the gold and the pink silks of his garments, it also highlights his full lips and illuminates his richly dark skin. The glorious combination of the guards majestic posture enhanced by luscious textiles, powerful and glittering armor enveloped by a spectacular Andalusian double arched entrance is an evidence of Deutsch's astounding dexterity.
Source: P. Cruysmans, Orientalist Painting, Brussels 1982, p. 115 and Christies New York October 2001 catalog p. 68

Saturday, October 6, 2007

A Woman from Cairo Study

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Not signed but authenticated by Lynne Thornton
Title: A Woman from Cairo Study
Medium: oil on canvas/huile sur toile
Size: 25.625x21.25in. (65x54cm)
Austrian Orientalist

For artist studies such as this one are valuable insights into the artist's approach to a painting. It looks like Deutsch applied paint in short strokes, similar to hatching with a pencil. The light source and play of shadows is recorded in high contrast to each other (see her right hand), very unlike the smooth value gradation we are used to seeing in his final products. This leaves me to believe that this might be a color study.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Interior of a Mosque 1902

Signed upper left L. Deutsch Paris 1902
Interior of a Mosque 1902
oil on canvas/ huille sur toile
25.625x20.375 in (65.2x51.8cm)

Artists were not allowed to paint in mosques and had to rely on their impressions when visiting such holy places. Deutsch has captured the meditative, solitary mood of the individual worshippers.

In Morning Prayer there are some compositional similarities with his earlier paintings of palace guards. The apparent and expressive focal points, such as the red Turkish babouches, the 19th Century northwestern Persian carpet, the Syrian lamp and the mother-of-pearl inlaid kursi are all archetypal elements of Deutsch's painting. Furthermore the juxtaposition of the wine red sash against the cadmium red striped silk robe (aba) of the standing figure, set against his brilliant white turban is masterfully balanced against the massive size of the Ptlomaic granite pillar. Together with the figure depicted praying in elaborate costume, another man in very humble attire is seen meditating to the side. The abscense of a spatial hierarchy as well as one religious ceremony that all members follow simultaniously is in line with a mosque's essential function as a provider of shelter for congregational prayer. Source M. Haja and G. Wimmer, Les Orientalistes des Ecoles Allemande et Autrichienne, Paris, 2000, p. 200 and Chriestie's New York 2001 p. 40

The Healer 1891

signed L. Deutsch 1891
The Healer (le guérisseur), 1891
oil on panel/huile sur panneau
19.3x24in (49x61cm)

This painting was painted on Deutsch's second trip to Cairo in 1890. Having encountered merchants and healers of medicinal herbs, Deutsch was facinated by them and has represented them in another larger painting.

The blue and red tapestry draws the focus on the main figure of the healer. This quiet exchange between the healer and his young customers lacks the usual high finish detail of his other works, yet he still embellishes the surroundings with a beautiful backdrop.

The Philosopher, 1897

Artist: LudwigDeutsch
Signed lower left L. Deutsch Paris 1897
Title: The Philosopher, 1897
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size: 52x57.2cm
Austrian Orientalist

The Scribe 1894

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Title: The Scribe 1894
Signed lower left L. Deutsch Paris 1894
Medium: oil on panel/ huile sur panneau
Size:54x57.2cm
Austrian Orientalist

The News from Sudan, 1885

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Title: The News from Sudan (Des nouvelles du Soudan), 1885
Signed upper right L. Deutsch, 1885
Medium: Oil on panel/ huile sur panneau
Size: 33x45.7cm
Location:

A Sentinel 1885

Ludwig Deutsch
A Sentinel ( une Sentinelle), 1885
oil on panel/huile sur panneau
42x26.7cm

At Prayer, 1923

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Title: At Prayer, 1923
Signed lower left L. Deutsch 1923
Medium: oil on panel/huile sur panneau
Size: 56x44.5cm

Morning Prayer 1906

Signed upper left Ludwig Deutsch
Morning Prayer ( Prièr du matin), 1906
Oil on panel/ huile sur panneau
59x49.5cm

Interior of Mosque 1902

Signed L. Deutsch Paris 1902
Interior of Mosque (Intérieur de mosquée), 1902
Oil on canvas/ huile sur toile
25.625x20.375in. (65.2x51.8cm)
Note: also found it under Morning Prayers - name needs to be varified

Leaving the Mosque, 1900

Signed lower left L. Deutsch Paris 1900
Leaving the Mosque (le Départ de la mosquée, le caire), 1900
Oil on panel/ huile sur panneau
34.5x27in (87.6x68.6cm)

This painting, completed in Paris shows the exterior of the Mosque of Aqsunqur. The rich architecture of mosques were a favorite subject for Orientalist painters.

Deutsch uses the entrance set deep into the mosque's edificeo frame the group of figures leaving, while the inky shadow of the interior contrasts with the sunlit exterior. Their costumes, like the intricate carvings along the walls, are captured in brilliant detail and stand out in complimentary res and greens. Source: Chritie's Catalog, London June 2007

Court of El Azhar University, Cairo 1890

Ludwig Deutsch
Court of El Azhar University, Cairo, 1890
(La Cour de l'université El-Azhar au Caire)
Oil on Canvas/huile sur toile
164x230cm

To create this painting, Deutsch used not only students found on the grounds of this important Islamic, theological school, but also utilizes photos taken by an established photography study Legekian in Cairo.

Study for Court of El Azhar University, Cairo
(Étude pour La Cour de l'université El-Azhar au Caire)
oil on canvas / huile sur toile
73.5x99.5cm

Studies such as this show the thought process of the artist. The most apparent aspect id the shift of stance of the central figure. In the study there is more emphasize on the central figure, simply because of the way he faces the viewer. By turning this figure sideways, as in the final rendition the figure looses importance and the focus shifts on the entire school assembly.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The Chess Players 1896

Ludwig Deutsch
The Chess Players (Les Joueurs d'échecs) 1896
Oil on panel/huile sur panneau
55x41.6cm

A Nubian Guard 1895

Artist: Ludwig Deutsch
Title: A Nubian Guard (Garde nubien)1895
Signed lower left L. Deutsch, Paris 1895
Medium: oil
Size: 50.8x33cm
Location: 2006 at the J.Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California

The figure of a palace guard in full costume was a very popular theme for the European public.

The Hour of Prayer 1887

Signed lower right Ludwig Deutsch, 1887
The Hour of Prayer
Oil on Panel
49x39in (124.4x99xcm)

The painting depicts men at prayer near the mihrab in the Mosque of Sultan Qualaun, in Cairo. The men in tattered clothes are most likely dervishes.
Note how the ray of light illuminated the column.

The Palace Guard 1900

Ludwig Deutsch
The Palace Guard 1900
Oil on Panel
22.5x16.25in (57.1x41.2cm)

The Sherbert Vendor, Cairo

Ludwig Deutsch
The Sherbert Vendor, Cairo (Le Vendeur de sherbet au Caire)1886
12x10in (55.2x45.7 cm)
Oil on Panel/ huile sur panneau

The Palace Guard

Signed lower left Ludwig Deutsch
A Palace Guard 1892 (Le Garde du palais)
Oil on Canvas/ huile sur toile
52.125x33in (132.4x83.8cm)

Ludwig Deutsch The Palace Guard (detail)

The Nubian Dance

Signed upper left L. Deutsch Paris 1886
The Nubian Dance 1886
oil on panel/huile sur panneau
16x14.25in. (40.6x36.3cm)

Deutsch depicts a Zar dancer in front of a Nubian and Egyptian group of spectators.
It is not common to have a table set with food in the middle of a street, therefore this leaves us to believe that the setting is staged. The mother of pearl table is from Deutsch's collection of props, since it shows up also in 'The Chess Game'.
Deutsch painted a larger version of the same subject in 1886.
In Islamic cultures the belief in jinns (demons) was a common occurrence. One of the ways to tame these jinns that could inhabit humans, was through ritualistic dances. Women in Islamic cultures would only perform this ritual in the privacy of their own homes. Men on the other hand had no such restrictions. In present day Cairo these dances are now performed for tourists and sometimes in public by men dressed in white.

Here is another great short documentary about the Zar Dance and it's meaning.