Description
Fromentin approaches the named subject of Arab Horsemen as a complete visual statement rather than a simple illustration. The arrangement directs attention across the canvas in measured stages, connecting the main subject to the space and forms around it.
Color and light work with the underlying design, expressing Fromentin’s distinctive sense of pictorial order. Changes in density across the image help separate primary forms from supporting areas while maintaining a unified overall design. Viewed closely, the interaction of broad passages and quieter details gives the painting much of its lasting visual interest.
A skilled oil reproduction gives the composition a tangible surface through layered paint and individually handled passages. The result combines the accessibility of a reproduction with the texture and individual character expected from a traditionally painted canvas.