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Student Artwork Guide

Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient

Name Class Date

Alberto Pasini, Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient (1880). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Alberto Pasini originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/alberto-pasini/
Artist’s dates
1826 – 1899
Painted
1880
Original size
65 x 55 cm
Movement
Orientalism European pictures of North Africa and West Asia — often imagined rather than observed, and worth questioning.

In context

Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient — Alberto Pasini

How big is it?

The original measures 65 × 55 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1820
  2. 1830
  3. 1840
  4. 1850
  5. 1860
  6. 1870
  7. 1880
  8. 1890

Shaded: the lifetime of Alberto Pasini (1826–1899) ▲ this work, 1880

Compare with

  • Halte A La Mosquee originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-halte-a-la-mosquee-8DNUYY-en/
  • Damascus originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-damascus-8DNUYT-en/
  • Visiting the Pottery Vendor originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-visiting-the-pottery-vendor-8DNV2D-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Driftwood #a38f71

    Catalogued palette

    • #A38F71
    • #D2C4AB
    • #2B1816
    • #6C5543
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Driftwood
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient — Alberto Pasini

    The painting Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient by Alberto Pasini is a captivating piece of art that showcases the artist's skill in depicting Orientalist subjects. Created in 1880, this oil on canvas painting measures 65 x 55 cm and is a prime example of the Orientalism art movement.

    Orientalism Art Movement

    Orientalism emerged during the 19th century, primarily in Europe, characterized by an interest in depicting the Eastern world. This style was influenced by various forms of art, including painting and literature. The term 'Orientalism' has since been used to refer to a general passion for the exotic and mysterious aspects of the East.

    Painting Description

    The image depicts a group of people gathered outside a building with a large archway, set in the Middle East or North Africa. There are 13 individuals in the painting, including men and women, engaged in conversation or waiting for something near the entrance to the building. Several horses are visible in the scene, some standing close to the people while others are further away. The architecture of the building features an archway that spans across a large portion of the image, with a clock visible on one side. A bird perched near the bottom left corner adds a touch of life and movement to the scene.

    Artist Background

    Alberto Pasini was an Italian painter born in Busseto on September 3, 1826. He is best known for his Orientalist subjects depicted in a late-Romantic style. His father was a commissioner for his district, but after his father's death in 1828, his mother moved to Parma, where he enrolled at the age of 17 years old.

    Relevant Paintings by Alberto Pasini

    - Lion Hunt (Persia) - Le Cucine Del Topkapi - Horsemen In Shiraz

    Museum Information

    This painting is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. For more information on this and other artworks, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com.

    Purchase Handmade Oil Painting Reproductions

    If you are interested in purchasing a handmade oil painting reproduction of Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com. Our team of skilled artists can create high-quality reproductions that capture the essence of the original piece.

    Conclusion

    Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient by Alberto Pasini is a remarkable example of Orientalist art. Its detailed depiction of Middle Eastern architecture and culture makes it a captivating piece for art enthusiasts.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Alberto Pasini

    Born in Busseto, Italy

    Early Life and Training (1826-1853)

    Family Background: Born in Busseto, Pasini's early life was impacted by the death of his father when he was young. He subsequently moved to Parma with his mother.

    Artistic Beginnings: At 17, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Art in Parma, focusing on landscape painting and drawing.

    Influence of Antonio Pasini: His uncle, Antonio Pasini, a painter and manuscript illuminator working for local nobility, significantly influenced his early artistic development.

    Early Exhibitions & Lithographs: In 1852, Pasini exhibited a series of thirty designs transformed into lithographs depicting castles around Piacenza, Lunigiana, and Parma. This work garnered attention from artist Paolo Toschi.

    Parisian Studies: Encouraged by Toschi, Pasini traveled to Paris where he studied under Charles and Eugène Ciceri, associated with the Barbizon School. His lithograph "The Evening" earned him admittance to the Paris Salon in 1853 and further study with Théodore Chassériau.

    Orientalist Travels and Artistic Development (1855-1870)

    Journey to Persia: The Crimean War provided an opportunity for Pasini to accompany Nicolas Prosper Bourée, the French plenipotentiary minister, to Persia in 1855. This journey proved pivotal, inspiring numerous paintings of Orientalist subjects.

    Expanding Horizons: Following his Persian expedition, Pasini continued to travel extensively throughout the Middle East, including Egypt, Arabia, Istanbul, and various regions of Persia. These travels provided a wealth of visual material for his art.

    Artistic Style: His paintings during this period showcased meticulous attention to architectural details and a vibrant use of color and light, characteristic of Orientalist painting. Notable works include "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer at the Door of a Byzantine Monument" and "Memory of the Orient."

    Later Career and Recognition (1870-1899)

    Return to Italy: After the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Pasini returned to Italy and settled permanently in Cavoretto.

    Continued Exhibitions: He continued to exhibit his work at Salons and other exhibitions throughout Europe.

    Museum Acquisitions: His paintings were increasingly recognized for their artistic merit, leading to acquisitions by prominent museums including the Museum of Parma, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and others.

    Later Works & Piedmontese Landscapes: In his later years, Pasini also focused on painting landscapes of Piedmont, particularly scenes around Cavoretto and Issogne.

    Key Characteristics & Significance

    Architectural Detail: A defining feature of Pasini’s art was his meticulous rendering of architectural details within his oriental scenes.

    Color and Light: His skillful use of color and light created a vibrant and evocative atmosphere in his paintings.

    Orientalist Movement: Pasini's work exemplifies the Orientalist movement, which depicted cultures outside of Europe with varying degrees of accuracy and romanticization.

    Influence & Connections: He was influenced by artists like Théodore Chassériau and associated with the Barbizon School, demonstrating a connection to broader artistic trends of his time.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Alberto Pasini originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/alberto-pasini/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Pasini, Alberto. Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient. 1880, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/
    APA
    Pasini, Alberto (1880). Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/
    Chicago
    Alberto Pasini. Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient. 1880. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/
    Harvard
    Pasini, Alberto (1880) Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/alberto-pasini-circassian-cavalry-awaiting-their-commanding-offic-8DNUYR-en/

    Look closely

    Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient — Alberto Pasini

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: orient. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Halte A La Mosquee, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Orientalism: European pictures of North Africa and West Asia — often imagined rather than observed, and worth questioning. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is the author of "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient", and in which movement?

    Alberto Pasini created "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" within the Orientalism movement.

    How old was Alberto Pasini when creating "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" in 1880?

    Alberto Pasini was 54 years old when creating "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" in 1880. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1826.

    What are the author and date of "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient"?

    Alberto Pasini made "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" in 1880.

    Who created "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient"?

    "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" is attributed to Alberto Pasini.

    What is the creation date of "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" by Alberto Pasini?

    "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" dates from 1880. The date places the work within Alberto Pasini's career and its era.

    Which artistic current is "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" by Alberto Pasini part of?

    "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" by Alberto Pasini belongs to the Orientalism movement. This movement provides the stylistic context of the work.

    How saturated is the palette of "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient"?

    "Circassian Cavalry Awaiting Their Commanding Officer At The Door Of A Byzantine Monument; Memory Of The Orient" by Alberto Pasini is recorded with a subtle color saturation.