Artwork
Hamal - Porter
Hamal - Porter is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Charles Frederick Brockdorff. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Hamal - Porter is a watercolour work by Charles Frederick Brockdorff, one of 41 sketches in an album of 54 depicting Turkish figures and objects, executed in the Romanticism style.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a porter struggling with a large, dark, tall, and narrow wooden or metal object on his back. His attire includes a white shirt, brown vest, blue pants, red shoes, and a distinctive yellow and red hat. The portrayal reflects historical Turkish costume representations, akin to those in Miller’s *The Costume of Turkey* (1802) and Lachaise’s *Costumes de L'Empire Turc* (1821).
Technique & Style
Created using watercolour, the piece exemplifies Romanticism's emphasis on expressive portrayal of everyday life and attention to detail in costume and setting.
History & Provenance
Part of an album with 116 pages, featuring sketches on variously coloured paper, bound half in morocco with gilt spine lettering. Thirteen sketches are attributed to other artists. Currently held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Frederick Brockdorff painted detailed watercolours of North African life and costume in the 1830s.
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