Important Orientalist discoveries highlight 19th Century European Paintings sale at Bonhams
(Artdaily.org)

Bonhams announced the autumn sale of 19th Century European Paintings on November 8, which is highlighted by a superb selection of newly discovered Orientalist paintings by Jean-Léon Gérôme and Ludwig Deutsch. Leading the sale and also the cover lot is Jean-Léon Gérôme’s arresting portrait of A Bischari warrior (estimate: $150,000-200,000). This striking work has been in America since 1873 and has not been seen on the market since. This painting is one of two works commissioned by the New York art dealer, Samuel Avery, from Gérôme in 1871. This work is exquisite in its simplicity and compositional equilibrium. The light highlights the strikingly exotic face with high cheek bones and sensual lips, and his bare chest adorned only with his warrior`s attributes. Gérôme is accurately depicting the unique traits of the Bischari Bedouins of the Sudan Desert and Southern Egypt. They were known for their round faces, their straight noses