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The French in Cairo, from "The Art Journal," opposite p. 357

Publisher Virtue & Co. British
December 1885
Not on view
Published in The Art Journal in 1885, this photogravure is based on a painting that Horsley exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1884 (no. 516), now in the Museums Sheffield. The work depicts a range of Egyptians, from a fully veiled woman fruit seller, to a lightly veiled light-skinned woman, a male water carrier, several children, a Muslim cleric, young bearded Arabs, a dark skinned Nubian, and an Ottoman. All observe, a French soldier during the period of Napoleon’s occupation (1798-1801) carving their leader's name into the base of a tower—such inscriptions were placed on the main gates and towers of the city and aroused local resentment. Horsley specialized in Oriental subjects, and travelled to India, Egypt, Tangiers, Morocco and Turkey to gather material. The painting related to his print was conceived shortly after the British took military control of Egypt in 1882 (to secure their access to the Suez Canal). The subject reflects on the nature and unintended effects of military power.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The French in Cairo, from "The Art Journal," opposite p. 357
  • Series/Portfolio: The Art Journal
  • Artist: After Walter Charles Horsley (British, London 1855–1934 Cranbrook, Kent)
  • Publisher: Virtue & Co.
  • Date: December 1885
  • Medium: Photogravure, printed in blue ink
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 9 1/2 × 13 1/4 in. (24.2 × 33.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Donato Esposito, 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.614.8
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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