Female Riding Camel

About this work

You see a woman in a long blue dress riding a light-brown camel across the desert. Goodall painted this in Egypt, where camels came in two types. The one here is built for speed, not hauling cargo. Look at the saddle—it’s padded for comfort, and the woolen bag beside it is woven with bright patterns. The camel’s master even tucked a dagger into the straps, a small sign of daily life most travelers missed. If you like this quiet detail, try more works in the Victoria and Albert Museum.