Open full image Pin

Vika Viswahali. Dress of an (E) Mswahali of Zanzibar - About 1866. Arthur Ackland Hunt

Arthur Ackland Hunt

1866

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Vika Viswahali. Dress of an (E) Mswahali of Zanzibar - About 1866. Arthur Ackland Hunt is a 1866 watercolor by Arthur Ackland Hunt, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Arthur Ackland Hunt
When & what style?: 1866 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a man in a long, brown robe with a white undergarment. He holds a spear in one hand and a curved sword in the other, tucked into a belt. His feet are bare, wearing simple sandals, and he has a white cap on his head. The background is plain, keeping all focus on him. The robe’s rich color and the man’s confident stance suggest he might be someone important. The painting was made around 1866, showing a person from Zanzibar. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The artwork is a watercolour drawing created around 1866 by Arthur Ackland Hunt, depicting the dress of an (E) Mswahali individual from Zanzibar. The piece reflects the historical context of the Swahili people, who are of mixed Arab and African ancestry and have inhabited Zanzibar and the East African coast. Notably, the costume in the drawing is worn by a sitter who appears to be of European descent.

Read the full account in the museum source.