About this sheet
This remarkable hand-colored lithograph, titled “Afrique – Égypte,” comes from Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, published in Paris around 1845–1850 by Amédée Bedelet. Drawn by Fossey, lithographed by J. Bocquin, and printed by Lemercier, this series is one of the finest 19th-century visual surveys of world costume and culture, distinguished by its artistic finesse and ethnographic interest.
The composition presents a vibrant street scene in Cairo, filled with the movement and color of daily life along the Nile. In the foreground, a Charmeur de serpents (snake charmer) holds two serpents before a small audience, while a seated musician accompanies him on a lute-like instrument, setting the rhythm for the performance. To their right stand a fellah and his wife—Egyptian peasants whose simple robes and head coverings reflect the traditional attire of the rural classes. Their presence contrasts with the more elaborate dress of the urban characters nearby.
At the center, a soldat d’infanterie égyptienne (Egyptian infantry soldier) in a blue uniform and red fez converses with a fellah wrapped in a striped mantle, while behind them, a femme du Caire (Cairene woman) passes by, veiled in black. To the left, an ânier (donkey driver) leads his animal through the narrow street, the scene framed by the distinctive domes, arches, and mashrabiya balconies of Islamic architecture.
This plate captures both the everyday life and exotic charm that fascinated 19th-century European audiences. It reflects the Romantic imagination of Egypt as a crossroads of ancient civilization and Oriental splendor—a place of mystery, color, and timeless tradition. The fine detail of Fossey’s drawing and the subtle hand-coloring enhance the sense of authenticity, with warm ochres, reds, and blues harmoniously balanced. Lemercier’s printing brings a delicate precision to the architectural and costume details, characteristic of his celebrated Parisian atelier.
As part of Le Monde en Estampes, this plate represents the artistic peak of ethnographic lithography—a perfect blend of observation and imagination.
Condition report: Very good condition with light foxing and mild toning mainly in the margins. Strong, clean impression and bright original hand-coloring. Wide margins preserved.
Framing tips: Display elegantly with a cream or soft beige mat and a gilt or dark wood frame. A deep olive or warm brown inner mat can enhance the earthy tones of the Egyptian architecture and costumes.
