Artwork
Yezidis of the Sinjar
Yezidis of the Sinjar is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Frederick Charles Cooper. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Frederick Charles Cooper's 1850 pencil drawing, 'Yezidis of the Sinjar', captures a moment of everyday life among the Yezidi community in the region of Sinjar, highlighting their distinctive attire and interactions.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing focuses on five Yezidi individuals, conveying their casual, unposed demeanor through expressive, if rough, facial renderings and varied postures, suggesting an observational approach.
Technique & Style
Executed in quick, light, and uneven pencil lines, the sketch reflects a spontaneous, notebook-style recording, with added scribbled annotations describing the subjects' clothing.
History & Provenance
Created during Cooper's involvement in Austen Henry Layard's Nineveh excavations (1849-1851), the drawing is part of a larger archival collection, with related works and Cooper's diary housed in institutions like the British Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Charles Cooper painted watercolours of Ottoman-era landmarks he saw in 1849.
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