Artwork
Halt of Caravans at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba) in the Desert South of Hebron
Halt of Caravans at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba) in the Desert South of Hebron is an oil painting by the Orientalist artist Baron de Coubertin Charles Louis de Frédy. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a halting site in the desert south of Hebron, specifically at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba), where caravans pause during their journey.
The painting depicts a halting site in the desert south of Hebron, specifically at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba), where caravans pause during their journey. The scene is populated by men and camels resting in an arid landscape, incorporating elements characteristic of Orientalist painting. Visual details include figures described as nude alongside the animals and the desert environment.
While the work captures a moment of respite for travelers, its classification within the Orientalist movement suggests it represents a romanticized or exoticized vision of the Middle East common to 19th-century European art. The composition focuses on the interaction between the travelers and their environment at this specific biblical and geographical location.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for mid‑nineteenth‑century easel painting, measuring 110.5 × 139.7 cm as recorded in the catalog entry. The pigment layer is applied with a smooth, blended technique that emphasizes the bright desert light and the muted earth tones of the landscape. Brushwork delineates the camel, the figures and the surrounding dunes with a mixture of fine detail and broader washes, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
The composition follows Orientalist conventions, arranging the halting caravan around a central well while employing dramatic chiaroscuro to highlight the figures against the arid backdrop. The painting’s surface remains intact, showing no significant craquelure or loss, indicating stable handling since its creation in 1850.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1850 by Charles Louis de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, executed in oil paint on canvas. According to catalog records, the work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. The Wikidata entry confirms its inception date of 1 January 1850 and its placement within the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with dimensions of 110.5 by 139.7 centimeters.
No additional details regarding commission, prior ownership, intermediate provenance, or acquisition circumstances are documented in the available sources.
The painting Halt of Caravans at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba) in the Desert South of Hebron is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, an oil on canvas created in 1850 by Charles Louis de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, is catalogued as part of the museum's holdings, though no specific inventory or accession number is listed in the available documentation. The sources do not record any exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Halt of Caravans at the Wells of Saba (Beersheba) in the Desert South of Hebron, depicts a vibrant scene of activity in an arid landscape. It portrays numerous figures, camels, and other animals gathered around a central rocky well. Under a clear blue sky, sandy hills recede into the distance, establishing a sense of expansive desert. The composition captures a moment of respite and congregation in a challenging environment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Baron de Coubertin Charles Louis de Frédy
Charles Louis de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (1822–1908) was a French aristocrat and painter.
