Artwork
Head of an Egyptian Girl
Head of an Egyptian Girl is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Frederick Goodall. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Head of an Egyptian Girl is a watercolour painting created by Frederick Goodall in 1871. It is a representation of a young woman, executed as a study.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young woman with a serious expression, wearing a red headscarf, a patterned shawl, and adorned with gold coins as earrings and a necklace. The plain background focuses attention on her face and attire.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by loose brushstrokes, resulting in a soft, sketchy appearance. This style was typical of 19th-century artists seeking to capture everyday life quickly.
History & Provenance
The painting was originally created as a student exercise for the South Kensington Museum's examination, with an erased blind stamp indicating an attempt to obscure its origins. It was later acquired from Phillips in December 1973 for £25.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Goodall spent his life chasing the light he first saw in Egypt—his watercolors glow with the same dusty gold he found in Cairo’s streets.
