Torch-bearer and his wife
1805
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1805
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Torch-bearer and his wife is a 1805 paint by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows two people standing in a bright, open field. The man on the left holds a torch in one hand and a small round object in the other. He wears a loose shirt, patterned pants, and a head covering. The woman on the right balances a woven basket on her head and has her arms crossed. She’s dressed in a striped skirt with red trim and a dark top. Palm trees line the background, and the sky is pale. The woman’s pose—balancing the basket—was a common way to show skill in old paintings. The colors are simple but bold, with bright yellows and reds standing out against the light blue sky. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more paintings like this.
The painting depicts a masalchi, or torch-bearer, and his wife, part of a series of 36 works illustrating trades, occupations, and costumes. The couple is shown against a background of palm and other trees, with an inscription identifying them as "Masalgie and his Wife, a Torcher." The work originates from an album of such scenes.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
