Optional - receive your painting ready to hang. Note we are only able to ship framed paintings up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached, the framing option is automatically disabled. If ordered without a frame the painting will arrive rolled inside a protective tube with an extra 1.5" white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
Always enthralled by the private lives of those in the Orient, Gérôme produced this piece in 1876 as part of his series of paintings with the harem and bath theme. Currently in possession of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, this oil on canvas displays the ethnographic care with which Gérôme portrayed the people, customs and architecture of the Orient as it seemed to him. That, of course, means that his work is less valuable as a picture of the actual Orient in the 19th century and more as a snapshot of the mind of the French adventurer, but still highly valuable either way.
In this glorious piece, Gérôme portrays two lounging nude women whose attention is turned to a dark-skinned servant, who speaks at them while holding two hookah pipes. It is a rather plain scene, devoid of action or seduction, but the storytelling in it is quite compelling, an effect of the artist’s passion for detail and realism. This mania provides the observer with an environment rich in stories induced by the architecture, customs, and delightful little details.
One such detail is in the two hookah pipes in the servant’s hands. They differ in design from each other, but the same pipes are present in many of Gérôme’s paintings, indicating that the artist probably possessed the objects, as it was his custom to reproduce his belonging acquired in his travels in his paintings. Truly, one could look at any object in the painting and be led to believe that the artist had intimate knowledge of it.
That extends to the delicate teapots and cups, the pillow upon which one of the women rests, the table with its detailed mother of pearl inserts or the intricately decorated rug on the ground. Every object in the scene captivates the observer’s imagination and provokes a whole background of information. Even the distressed tiles tell their own story about the scenario.
These reflections are induced by the serenity of the scene, which is in turn reinforced by Gérôme’s expert use of lighting. The artist’s masterful technique lends a soft mood to the scene, putting the observer in a state of calm and introspective placidity that allows for a deeper perception of the wealth of particularities surrounding an otherwise banal slice of life.
Real Oil Paints, Real Brushes, Real Artists, Real Art. The Certificate of Authenticity which arrives with every painting provides an assurance and verifies the authenticity of the hand painted fine art reproduction you purchased. Each oil painting is created by hand using only the finest canvas and oil paints available.
Important Notes About Your Painting:
If you have any request to alter your reproduction of Harem Pool,
you must email us after placing your order and we'll have an artist contact you.
If you have another image of Harem Pool
that you would like the artist to work from, please include it as an attachment. Otherwise, we will reproduce the above image for you exactly as it is.
Free shipping is included in the price of the painting. Once the painting is ready and dry enough to ship, we will roll it and ship it in a sturdy cardboard tube.
We always ship express via courier to ensure your order reaches you as soon as possible - normally within three business days. The total delivery time from the moment you place your order until the package is delivered to your door is normally between three to four weeks.
If, in the unlikely event you were dissatisfied with the painting after reviewing it in person, it can be returned for a full refund for up to 365 days after delivery.
When you receive the painting; you are free to return it for more revisions or else for a full refund minus our actual shipping cost -- which is, on average, $25 per painting.
1st Art Gallery provides a full warranty covering manufacturing and material defects for paintings purchased from our website. The warranty covers damage for normal use. Damage caused by incidents such as accidents or inappropriate use are not covered.
Depending on the degree of damage to the warranted painting, it will either be repaired or replaced. This warranty service is provided free of charge.
When purchasing a painting on its own, it will arrive rolled inside a secure tube with an extra 1.5" of white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
You may choose to purchase your painting framed, in which case, it will arrive "ready to hang". We offer more than 20 beautiful models, all hand finished and expertly assembled by our experienced framers.
Note that for safety reasons we can only frame up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached the framing option is automatically disabled.