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August Holmberg“Portrait of a North African Man, 1872” Orientalist Portrait Black Model 19th C.1872
1872
$14,000
£10,665.67
€12,172.06
CA$19,673.31
A$21,440.45
CHF 11,353.64
MX$257,522.38
NOK 143,739.62
SEK 132,154.45
DKK 90,911.78
About the Item
“Portrait of a North African Man, 1872” by August Holmberg (1851-1911)
This striking oil painting by the German painter, August Holmberg, depicts a richly detailed and intimate portrait of a man wrapped in a flowing yellow shawl with deep crimson and ochre accents. His gaze, direct yet enigmatic, engages the viewer with a quiet confidence. The dramatic chiaroscuro, drawing influence from Dutch and Italian Baroque masters, highlights the contours of his face, giving the work a sculptural depth. Holmberg’s technical mastery is evident in the meticulous rendering of the sitter’s clothing, where each delicate design, embellishment, and woven fold carries the weight of authenticity.
The figure, likely of North African or Saharan origin, is adorned in traditional attire, suggesting a Berber or Tuareg influence. The use of vibrant yellow, a color often associated with desert peoples for its practicality in reflecting sunlight, adds a visual contrast against the earthy tones of his garment and the muted background. His headdress, secured with a beaded headband, suggests a high-status individual. Holmberg’s attention to detail in the fabric’s weight, texture, and natural folds showcases an almost tactile realism, a hallmark of the academic style he is best known for.
This work is emblematic of the broader European Orientalist movement, which gained popularity in the 19th century as artists, inspired by increased travel and colonial expansion, sought to depict the so-called “exotic” cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. However, unlike the more overtly theatrical or eroticized depictions seen in the works of Jean-Léon Gérôme or Eugène Delacroix, Holmberg’s approach appears more restrained and observational. His rendering of the man avoids overt romanticization, instead capturing a moment of introspection that transcends the usual tropes of Orientalism.
This work is oil on paper laid to canvas and is signed and dated in the upper right. It is further initialed and dated in the lower right. It is housed in an antique gilt wood frame.
Size:
26 inches tall by 22 inches wide (painting)
32.75 inches tall by 28.75 inches wide by 3 inches deep (frame)
Provenance:
Private collection, Germany;
Acquired from the above
About the artist:
August Holmberg (1851-1911) was a German painter who initially studied sculpture before switching to painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, studying under Wilhelm von Diez (1839-1907) among others. He travelled to Italy in 1875 and Paris in 1878 and was awarded medals for his work in Vienna in 1873, London in 1875 and Munich. In 1879, he collaborated on a painting of the small gala carriage for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, which is now in Nymphenburg Palace. In 1900, Holmberg was named director of the Neue Pinakothek museum in Munich, which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of 19th century art.
Condition: Good overall antique condition. Recently professionally cleaned. Paper with some repaired tears/creases along the edges. Scattered inpainting along the edges. Some areas of slightly raised bubbling to the paper, visible in raking light. Antique frame with typical wear and scattered losses. It is ready to be displayed and enjoyed!
All photographs are taken in a well-lit environment using studio lights (set to a cooler temperature) to reveal as much detail as possible. Colors can vary slightly depending on the temperature and strength of your lighting.
- Creator:August Holmberg (1851 - 1911, German)
- Creation Year:1872
- Dimensions:Height: 32.75 in (83.19 cm)Width: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Good overall antique condition. Recently professionally cleaned. Paper with some repaired tears/creases/losses along the edges. Scattered inpainting along the edges. Some areas of slightly raised bubbling to the paper, visible in raking light.
- Gallery Location:Yardley, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2911217315212
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