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The Watering Place
The Watering Place

The Watering Place

Artist (Paris, France, 1803 - 1860)
Date1850-1860
Mediumoil on panel
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 20.1 cm, Width: 30.2 cm
Frame: Height: 36.6 cm, Width: 46.3 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1933.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003157
About MeThis is one of two studies in this collection for the finished painting of the same title (1831-2) now in the Wallace Collection, London. In his youth Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps travelled in the East and reproduced oriental life and scenery, pictures which established his reputation in Paris where he was soon ranked, along with Delacroix and Vernet, as one of the leaders of the French school.

The art of Decamps is characterised by vivid dramatic conception, rapid paintwork and bold contrasts of colour and of light and shade. This is probably a scene in Algeria, a favourite subject of Decamps and features several horses. He was passionately fond of animals and died in 1860 as a result of injuries sustained from a fall from a horse whilst hunting at Fontainebleau.