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Lot Essay
Georges Washington is a pseudonym for the artist Georges Besse. Born in 1827 in Marseille he began his artistic training quite early, as a student of François Edouard Picot (1786 - 1868) in Paris. From Picot Washington learned the neo-classical style and developed a very precise manner of drawing. After finishing his education, the artist travelled to North Africa where he found the subject matter that would dominate his oeuvre and in which his skill flourished. At the same time his use of colour developed from a cold palette to one of much warmer tones.
In 1854 Washington showed his work at the Salon in Paris for the first time, his d/aebut being an Algerian Sahara landscape. From then onwards he exhibited for nearly 50 years at the Salon, depicting images of warriors in Algeria, Morocco and the Sahara.
The present lot depicts a group of nomads resting at an oasis. It is a beautiful example of Washington's warmth and freshness of colour, and clearly shows his obsession with, and admiration for, this subject matter.
In 1854 Washington showed his work at the Salon in Paris for the first time, his d/aebut being an Algerian Sahara landscape. From then onwards he exhibited for nearly 50 years at the Salon, depicting images of warriors in Algeria, Morocco and the Sahara.
The present lot depicts a group of nomads resting at an oasis. It is a beautiful example of Washington's warmth and freshness of colour, and clearly shows his obsession with, and admiration for, this subject matter.