Egyptians Raising Water from the Nile, 1890–91
John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925)
Oil on canvas; 25 x 21 in. (63.5 x 53.3 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950 (50.130.16)
Technical Glossary
John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925)
Oil on canvas; 25 x 21 in. (63.5 x 53.3 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950 (50.130.16)
During his trip to Egypt in 1890–91, Sargent painted this canvas showing men and women using a shaduf, a simple irrigation device, to fill ditches. Sargent was prompted to visit the Middle East in preparation for his Boston Public Library project. He may have believed, like many of his contemporaries, that life there was essentially unchanged since biblical times.
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