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| An Arab Caravan Outside a Fortified Town-1864 |
The
painting An Arab Caravan outside a Fortified Town, Egypt in 1864 by Jean-Leon
brings to the forefront a time just before the advent of the modern state in
Africa. It is amazing to see life as it was only 150 years ago from the
perspective of an Egyptian caravan and local inhabitants. Such caravans have a
historical place in the cultural identifications of the Arab and African
peoples.
The French
artist Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904) engaged in a number of great works that
were seen as Academicism. His works touched on Orientalism, Greek Mythology,
portraits, and sculptures. He was an academic who not only painted for a living
but also taught other students to a refined degree. He was one of three
professors appointed to Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The skill and ability by which he fostered also
made its way into a number of studies where people of painting, writing, and
other art backgrounds gathered for lively conversation and socialization.
Born in Vesoul, Haute-Saône he moved to Paris to
study under Paul Delaroche. From that time he traveled to a great many
locations and focused on natural orientated works. He spent time in Turkey, the
Middle East, Egypt, Rome, Italy, and many other locations. He even earned a
commission under Napoleon III to paint the canvas work Age of Augustus. Skill orientation
he had wider levels of experience and abilities than many of his
contemporaries. His marriage to Marie Goupil, a daughter of an international
arts dealer, furthered his career, wealth and fame.
The Arab caravan has a unique place in the history
of commerce and trade. People brought their products from city to city in an
effort to barter and trade. Many of these caravans included armed tribesman as
the road could be extremely dangerous. A typically caravan may have 100 men up
to a 1000 members of which the majority perish under a dangerous journey full
of calamity. Such caravans carried everything including spices, silk, ivory, crops
and slaves.
The great Arabic states and culture were built off
of these trade routes. Those cities and rulers that could dominate the trade
routes consolidated their power from such commerce. As centers of commerce,
such cities built walls for protection from outside invading forces. Even
during Ottoman oversight such cities became what is known as the city-state. These
city-states often had their own ethnic and cultural identity that separated
them from other states in the area.
The peak of trade started in the 8th century
and began to slow in the 16th century. Yet the method continued into modern
times. With the French invasion of Sahel around 1890 water routes and growing wealthy
European destinations became more important as a shipping method. Finally, the
construction of railroads and independent states with national boarders in the
1960’s ended such caravans except in small pockets where limited trading still
exists.
