Monumental oriental scene with prayers in the desert was created by world-renown swiss orientalist Otto PILNY (Budweis 1866 - 1936 Zurich).

Pilny studied art in Prague then lived for a time in Vienna before settling in Zurich, Switzerland. Even though only making two trips to Egypt, in 1889 and 1892, he dedicated his life to painting Orientalist subjects for the next thirty years. These included dancers, Arabs praying in the desert beside their camels, and merchants selecting female slaves. His early paintings employed deep and warm colours, but after 1913 these were softened with shades of pink and yellow predominating. His ability is the depiction of light and atmosphere.

Inscription: signed lower right "Otto Pilny, Caire"

Technique: oil on canvas , gold-plated salon frame

Measurements: unframed w 52 " x h 34 " (132 x 86 cm), framed w 61" x h 43 3/4" (155 x 111 cm)

Condition: in very good condition.