Artwork Page for A Caravan in the Desert

Details / Information for A Caravan in the Desert

A Caravan in the Desert

c. 1860s

Narcisse Berchère

(French, 1819–1891)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
watercolor on wove paper
Measurements
Sheet: 19.3 x 31 cm (7 5/8 x 12 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2019.61
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

In addition to making numerous watercolors depicting Egypt, Narcisse Berchère published a book about his travels there.

Description

This drawing is one of many in which Narcisse Berchère depicted the desert landscape of Egypt—which France had attempted to colonize just a few decades before. Here, a party of travelers walks through a flat and expansive space accompanied by camels. After studying in Paris, Berchère made his first of several trips to North Africa, which served as inspiration for much of his work.
A horizontally oriented watercolor depicts a dry landscape, at the center of which a caravan of people with medium-light skin tones traverses a ridge. A man sits atop a camel followed by another laden with packs. Figures wearing navy, red, and tan garments trail behind, leading a dark ox toward the left. Sparse, brushy vegetation covers the foreground under a pale, cloudy sky, with faint blue hills on the left horizon.

A Caravan in the Desert

c. 1860s

Narcisse Berchère

(French, 1819–1891)
France, 19th century

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