Mixed Studies with Mounted Bedouin Guides, Palestine or Syria
February or March 1868
Classification
drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Louis P. Church
Accession Number
1917-4-948
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Frederic Edwin Church, a leading figure of the Hudson River School known for his luminous landscapes and epic vistas, created *Mixed Studies with Mounted Bed Guides, Palestine or Syria during his transformative 1868 journey to the Middle East. Traveling through Egypt, Syria, and, Church sought inspiration from biblical lands, sketching voraciously to capture the region's dramatic light, ancient ruins, and nomadic life. This drawing, made in February or March, reflects his on-the-spot observations of Bedouin guides on horseback—essential companions who navigated the rugged terrain. As a prepar...