Large Orientalism painting with lute player was executed by German portrait artist and orientalist Nathanael Sichel (1843 Mainz - 1907 Berlin). He studied in Mainz, later at the Academy in Berlin (1859-1862) under Jul. Schrader (master pupil). In 1863 he recieved Rome Prize of the academy for his historical painting "Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh". He moved to Paris 1865 and to Rome (1866-1868). After return to Germany, worked in Mannheim, Frankfurt and Mainz as portrait painter, since 1874 - in Berlin. Particularly recieved his acknowledge for his portraits of idealized oriental beauties.

Paintings by him are in public possession: museums of Brauenschweig, Rostock, Mainz , Cologne.

Literature: F.v.Boetticher " Painting works of 19th century ", 1898; Thieme/Becker "Lexicon of artists from antique to contemporary", Leipzig, 1999.

Inscription: signed upper right.

Technique: oil on canvas. Magnificent original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 26 3/4" x h 41 1/4" (68 x 105 cm), framed w 38 5/8" x h 53 1/8" (98 x 135 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.