Who painted Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh?

Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh was painted by Jean-Baptiste Adanson in 1786.

Where can I see Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh?

Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh?

Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh is associated with Orientalism.

Can I buy a print of Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh?

Museum-quality prints of Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh

Jean-Baptiste Adanson , 1786

Rat dEgypte apellé en Arabe Gérbouh is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Jean-Baptiste Adanson. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour depicts a jerboa, a desert rodent with distinctive large hind legs and a long tail, eating a date.

About this work

Here’s a tight rewrite at 100 words: This watercolor shows a jerboa, a small desert rodent with huge hind legs and a long tail, eating a date.

Here’s a tight rewrite at 100 words:

This watercolor shows a jerboa, a small desert rodent with huge hind legs and a long tail, eating a date. The French artist painted it between 1775 and 1796, when natural details fascinated European viewers.

It may be a rare “portrait” of a tame pet, not just a scientific sketch. Jerboas leap far to dodge predators and thrive in Egypt’s dry heat.

Look up the next jerboa artist, Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton.

Overview

This watercolour depicts a jerboa, a desert rodent with distinctive large hind legs and a long tail, eating a date. Created by Jean-Baptiste Adanson, a French diplomat and draughtsman, it showcases the artist's attention to natural detail.

Subject & Meaning

The jerboa, a nocturnal desert dweller common in Egypt, is shown holding a date in its front paws. The depiction may be a portrait of a tame pet, rather than a purely scientific illustration, highlighting the animal's ability to be domesticated.

History & Provenance

Jean-Baptiste Adanson, brother of naturalist Michel Adanson, served as French consul in Egypt from 1775 to 1785. He compiled a large collection of drawings on natural history, antiquities, and views during his time in Egypt and Syria, although a proposed publication of his work in 1795 was never realised.