Pair of 19th Century Orientalist oil paintings by Godefroy de Hagemann

Painted by the French artist, Godefroy de Hagemann (1820-1877), this superb pair of Orientalist oil paintings portrays two charming scenes.

The first painting depicts a serene scene set in a courtyard. Two female figures are seen looking through the ornate gate observing the splashing waves of the sea in front of them as well as the cityscape in the distance. Both are dressed in pale garments, one in white and the other in pink. Behind them is a group of people sitting and reclining on carpets. The shade created by the building behind them is acting as protection from the hot rays of the sun. Similarly, to the first two figures, they are dressed in muted clothing. In the centre there is a dish filled with bright orange items. Next to the group is a circular pond, a further aid during the hot day. The figures are surrounded by greenery such as palm trees and pink flowers. The vivid blue skies fill a large portion of the canvas, creating a superb contrast between the various colours and details.

In the second painting, Godefory de Hagemann depicted a North African street scene. The large number of people filling the streets allows the observer to imagine the hustle and bustle of the chatter, animals and movement. In the foreground is a group of donkeys, dressed in vivid red saddles. A female figure dressed in purple is riding one of the donkeys towards the traditional building, from which people emerge. In the background, a large mosque catches the viewer’s attention, its façade painted in white and red stripes. In the distance, more people are seen wandering around the street. Similarly to the first painting, bright blue skies create a contrast between the busy lower part of the painting and greenery in the form of trees add further depth and tone to the composition.

Both artworks are framed in beautiful giltwood frames. The first is signed in the lower left, while the second in the lower right ‘G. De. Hagemann’.

The artist beautifully portrayed an unusual courtyard scene as well as a vibrant depiction of a street scene, making this a very desirable pair of paintings.

Canvas: Height 44cm, width 29.5cm, depth 2cm
Frames: Height 64cm, width 50cm, depth 4.5cm