Who painted Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt)?

Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt) was painted by Alexandre Bida in 1860.

Where can I see Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt)?

Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt)?

Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt)?

Museum-quality prints of Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt)

Alexandre Bida , 1860

Arnautes, Égypte (Albanians, Egypt) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Alexandre Bida. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper right above image: Souvenirs d'Artists; upper right above image: 201; lower left below image: Alex. Bida / ARNAUTES (ÉGYPTE); lower right below image: Imp. Bertauts Paris; by later hand, lower left in graphite: Litho originale; by later hand, lower center in graphite: Z. 792; by later hand, lower right in graphite: Bida / Lithographie originale / Bida / 15-; by later hand, upper right verso in graphite: 7" x 10"

About this work

Overview

Created in 1860, this lithographic print by Alexandre Bida bears the title Arnautes, Égypte, also known as Albanians, Egypt. Executed on chine collé, the image presents a compact scene in which two male figures stand before a modest tent, their postures and armaments suggesting a martial presence within an exotic locale.

Subject & Meaning

One holds a sword and a staff, the other a sword and a firearm, indicating a blend of close‑quarter and ranged weaponry.

The two protagonists are dressed in traditional Albanian costume: turbans or headscarves, long‑sleeved shirts marked with a crescent‑moon emblem, pleated skirts, and wide belts. One holds a sword and a staff, the other a sword and a firearm, indicating a blend of close‑quarter and ranged weaponry. Their placement before the tent hints at a temporary encampment, perhaps a military outpost or a nomadic gathering.

Technique & Style

Bida employed lithography on a thin paper support adhered to a backing sheet (chine collé), a method that allows fine line work and subtle tonal variation. The print’s crisp outlines and careful shading convey texture in the fabrics and the tent’s fabric, while the contrast between dark ink and the lighter paper emphasizes the figures’ silhouettes.

History & Provenance

The work originates from the mid‑nineteenth‑century period when European artists were fascinated by Orientalist subjects. Alexandre Bida, a French illustrator known for his travel scenes, produced this piece during a time of heightened interest in North African and Middle Eastern cultures. The print has circulated among collectors of Orientalist prints and is documented in several museum catalogues of 19th‑century lithographs.