Artwork
Peisaj din Kairouan
Peisaj din Kairouan is a print by Samuel Mützner. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Samuel Mützner’s 1921 work *Peisaj din Kairouan* depicts a sun‑lit street scene in a North African town. White, flat‑roofed structures line a narrow thoroughfare, their rough façades catching the light in patches of glow and shadow. A solitary camel stands near the centre, while a clock‑tower rises above the bustling crowd, and a lantern hangs from a wall on the right.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents everyday urban life, juxtaposing the permanence of architecture with the movement of pedestrians in robes and hats. The presence of the camel and the clock‑tower anchors the scene in a specific cultural and temporal setting, suggesting a snapshot of communal activity in early‑twentieth‑century Kairouan.
Technique & Style
Mützner employs a thick, impasto application of paint, allowing brushstrokes to remain visible and giving the surface a tactile quality. The uneven illumination across the buildings creates a play of light and shadow that enhances the three‑dimensional sense of space, while the textured surface contributes to a vivid, almost tactile representation of the town’s atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1921, the painting reflects Mützner’s interest in North African subjects during a period when many European artists traveled to the region for inspiration. Details of its ownership history are limited, but the work remains a representative example of early twentieth‑century European depictions of North African urban environments.
Artist & collection
