Romantic Interlude

Artist: Rudolf Ernst
Title: Romantic Interlude
Signed lower right 'R.Ernst'
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 30x25.25 in (76x64cm)
Austrian Orientalist (1854-1932)

Although Rudolf Ernst traveled several times to North Africa and Spain, harem scenes as this one would be completely painted from imagination. Access to harems was not granted to foreigners and scenes such as this would have never been witnessed by them. It is know though that Ernst did bring home props from his travels and that he decorated his Paris studio with them. On a side note Ernst even wore a taboosh, while painting, to feel more in an 'Eastern' mood.