Physical Qualities
Etching, Sheet: 333 × 256 mm. (13 1/8 × 10 1/16 in.)
Plate: 273 × 200 mm. (10 3/4 × 7 7/8 in.)
Portfolio/Series
Plate 428 in the series “L’Illustration nouvelle”
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.48.761
In the 1870s, Constant traveled to Morocco with a diplomatic entourage. He kept a diary and wrote of his enthusiasm for Orientalist scenes. In this typical scene set outside the main portal of a city or citadel, Constant used rapid, loose gestural lines to suggest movement. Strong contrasts of light and dark convey the intense North African light. Constant was fascinated by not only the local dress and physical postures of the Moroccans, but also by the beautifully sculpted and patterned Moorish architecture.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
James Smalls, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Henry Ossawa Tanner and the Lure of Paris," December 7, 2005 - May 28, 2005.
BMA, Jacobs rotation, October 5, 2021 - March 28, 2022.
BMA, Jacobs rotation, October 5, 2021 - March 28, 2022.
Inscribed: Inscribed in plate: upper right "428"; lower left "Benjamin Constat pinx. et sc."; lower center "UNE PORTE À TANGER"; lower right "Vve. A. Cadart Edit. Imp. 56, Bard. Haussmann, Paris"
Markings: Collector's stamp: verso "M.I. / LUCAS / COLLECTION" (Lugt 1695c)
