Antique 19thC Spanish Orientalist Painting North African Arab Berber Musician by Antonio Rivas, 1880

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Description

A striking and finely executed portrait painting circa 1880, by renowned Spanish/Italian Orientalist painter; Antonio Rivas (1845–1911), depicting a Moroccan … Read more A striking and finely executed portrait painting circa 1880, by renowned Spanish/Italian Orientalist painter; Antonio Rivas (1845–1911), depicting a Moroccan Gnawa musician holding a traditional stringed instrument.

The Arab/Berber musician is captured with exceptional realism and emotional depth, wearing loose-fitting, draped robes and an intricately detailed, vibrant red waist sash. He holds a gimbri (also known as a sintir or hajhouj), a traditional hide-covered plucked lute central to Moroccan Gnawa spiritual and musical traditions. Rivas’s masterful handling of the watercolor medium is evident in the delicate texturing of the instrument's wood, the soft folds of the fabric, and the warm, luminous skin tones of the subject.
Framed under glass in a hardwood frame, this painting stands as an exceptional example of the late 19th-century European Orientalist movement, Antonio Rivas was a greatly respected artist in this style and his work is eagerly sought after by collector's of Orientalist and African art subjects.
The painting is in very good antique condition, showing excellent use of color and form, it is signed lower right "Rivas Roma". This very powerful and handsome portrait painting is ready to grace your wall.
A similar portrait in style and size; of a man smoking a pipe sold at Sotheby's New York, April 6th 2001 for $35,250

Artist Biography
Antonio Rivas was a prominent late 19th-century Spanish Orientalist painter. He frequently studied and worked in Rome, which was a major hub for European artists capturing North African and Middle Eastern themes. His portfolio includes highly detailed watercolor and oil depictions of African warriors, merchants, and musicians. His technique relied heavily on fine watercolor on paper or board to achieve vibrant clothing textures and realistic skin tones.
Born on February 17, 1845, in Palma, Mallorca, Spain, the artist often worked and was cataloged under the pseudonym Antonio Rivas (born Antonio Ribas Oliver). He enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palma, studying under instructors like Juan Mestre and Miguel Torres Sancho, and later exhibited widely in Madrid and Barcelona. He spent time living and working between Spain and Italy, becoming heavily engaged in the Orientalist art movement of the late 19th century.
Rivas specialized in vibrant, detailed oil paintings and watercolors featuring figures in luxurious Middle Eastern or North African architectural settings, such as harems and terraces. Beyond figurative Orientalism, he also produced dark-background still-life paintings showcasing arrangements of flowers and fruits. He was celebrated for his exceptional ability to render sumptuous textures, intricate rugs, ornate jewelry, and shimmering textiles.
His works are shown in many important galleries and museums; The Provincial Museum of Palma de Mallorca, The Museum of Son Marroig. See less