Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African Orientalist Antique Oil on Canvas by Miloud Boukerche

Name: Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African Orientalist Antique Oil on Canvas by Miloud Boukerche
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA669578
Availability: SoldOut

1920 - 1940

Sold by Skippings Fine Arts

Description

A rare and unusual oil on canvas by the important North African painter Miloud Boukerche, one of the precursors of Algerian easel painting.

Born in Sidi-Bel-Abbès in 1908, Boukerche started his career as a draughtsman in a textile workshop. He came to France to attend a sporting competition, and it was during that stay that his artistic talents were noted and that the young man was encouraged to enrol in art school, it is said. Boukerche worked in Paris in film advertising in the 1930s before returning to Algeria, where, influenced by Delacroix and Etienne Dinet, his art became orientalist.

After his first exhibition at the Franco-Islamic Cercle in Algiers in 1947, Boukerche would focus on portraiture, painting notably a portrait of King Mohamed V of Morocco.

He exhibited at the Paris Salon from the 1930s onwards, spending time both in Algeria and France.

The painting presented here is a fascinating early work, which depicts the artist's native Algeria with tenderness, but without romanticism. Keenly observed and fresh, it is likely to have been painted shortly after the artist's return from Paris. It is signed and dated 1938 at the lower right. Measuring 33.5 x 41 cm, the overall framed size is 39.5 x 47.5 cm.

Physical Dimensions

Height

33.5cm (13.19")

Width

41cm (16.14")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this piece to the 1940s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA669578

Dealers Notes

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.

Description

A rare and unusual oil on canvas by the important North African painter Miloud Boukerche, one of the precursors of Algerian easel painting.

Born in Sidi-Bel-Abbès in 1908, Boukerche started his career as a draughtsman in a textile workshop.

“

He came to France to attend a sporting competition, and it was during that stay that his artistic talents were noted and that the young man was encouraged to enrol in art school, it is said.

Skippings Fine Arts

Boukerche worked in Paris in film advertising in the 1930s before returning to Algeria, where, influenced by Delacroix and Etienne Dinet, his art became orientalist.

fig 1. Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African orientalist antique oil on canvas by Miloud Boukerche — fig 1. Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African Orientalist Antique Oil on Canvas by Miloud Boukerche

After his first exhibition at the Franco-Islamic Cercle in Algiers in 1947, Boukerche would focus on portraiture, painting notably a portrait of King Mohamed V of Morocco.

He exhibited at the Paris Salon from the 1930s onwards, spending time both in Algeria and France.

fig 2. Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African orientalist antique oil on canvas by Miloud Boukerche — fig 2. Crossroads, Algeria 1938 North African Orientalist Antique Oil on Canvas by Miloud Boukerche

The painting presented here is a fascinating early work, which depicts the artist's native Algeria with tenderness, but without romanticism. Keenly observed and fresh, it is likely to have been painted shortly after the artist's return from Paris. It is signed and dated 1938 at the lower right. Measuring 33.5 x 41 cm, the overall framed size is 39.5 x 47.5 cm.