Study of Camels
1848
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1848
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Study of Camels is a 1848 by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see three camels standing side by side, drawn in quick, confident lines. This sketch was likely made by a French traveler in North Africa around 1848—right when France took control of Algeria. Artists at the time brought back images of unfamiliar places and people, giving folks back home a glimpse of life there. The camels feel alive, like the artist was in a hurry to get it all down. If you like this, look up more about france, 19th century—there’s a whole world of travel sketches like this one.
This sheet by an unknown artist was probably created during travels throughout North Africa, possibly Algeria. The country was captured by France in 1830 and annexed as part of its territories in 1848, the year this sheet was made. Numerous artists found inspiration in the culture, recording it for a French audience to whom it was unfamiliar.
This sheet is an early example featuring colored pencils, used primarily for office and clerical work at the time and less often by artists.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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