Seated Arab Man with Horse
While his horse rests nearby, an Arab man sits before the walls of a city, relaxed yet alert. Although he is unnamed, his pronounced dignity may be an allusion to the Algerian military and religious leader ‘Abd al-Qadir (1808–1883). A foe of the French following their invasion of his country in 1830, the statesman eventually earned his adversaries’ respect for his courage, wisdom, and judgement. This man bears a general physical resemblance to ‘Abd al-Qadir, whose likeness was widely disseminated through paintings, prints, and photographs. Dedreux, a popular painter of equestrian subjects, made at least two portraits of horses belonging to him in the 1850s.
Artwork Details
- Title: Seated Arab Man with Horse
- Artist: Alfred Dedreux (French, Paris 1810–1860 Paris)
- Date: possibly ca. 1850–58
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 21 1/4 in. (64.8 x 54 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Kenneth Jay Lane, 2017
- Object Number: 2017.202.8
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.