Sons of the Desert - Original Water Colour Drawings

ALKEN Henry [Thomas] 1785-1851

About this Item

An Album of Original Water Colour Drawings, of Arab horses and riders, by Henry Alken, c1829 Oblong, in blue long grained morocco by Riviere & Son, elaborate gilt tooling & titles, edges & corners worn. Spine, raised bands, decorative gilt tooling & titles, edges worn. Internally, five pencil and water colour drawings, mounted on cards, 4to, a.e.g., gilt board edges and turn-ins, green marbled endpapers, binders stamp to verso of fep. (407*274 mm & 393*267 mm). Contains: 1. [ink title] Freedom is dear to the sons of the Desert, an Arab horse and rider in a town, with an Arab on foot, 7 1/4*10 1/2 in, signed. 2. A warrior on foot holding his spirited horse by the bridle, 6 5/8*9 5/8, signed and dated 1829. 3. A horse bending towards its fallen and wounded rider, 5 7/8*8 7/8 in, spurious signature. 4. A dismounted Arab pointing to his companions dead horse, 6 5/8*9 1/4 in, spurious signature. 5. Two armed and mounted Arabs, sheet darkened and slightly torn, 4 1/8*5 1/2 in, signed. Alken, born into a successful family of artists, was one of the most prolific and acclaimed British sporting artists of his days. He produced a great body of work, from water colours and oils to popular cartoons and fine lithographs and engravings. These water colours are delicate and beautiful pieces, unusual in their subject matter, but characteristic of Alken's genius for the fine depiction of horses.

Seller Inventory # 007658

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sons of the Desert - Original Water Colour Drawings
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: ALKEN Henry [Thomas]
• Condition: Near Fine
• Weight: 1.4 kilograms
• Seller catalogs:
  • Art Artists Sketch books
  • Manuscripts MSS
  • London ABA Saatchi Gallery