North African Street Scene c. 1836

"North African Street Scene" is a charcoal drawing by French artist Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps, created around 1836. The drawing captures a narrow, dimly lit alleyway in a North African city, with two figures walking in the foreground. The building facades are rendered with a strong sense of depth and perspective, using expressive, almost gestural lines that convey the atmospheric quality of the scene. The use of charcoal creates a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, enhancing the feeling of mystery and intrigue in the work. The drawing is a testament to Decamps’s skill in capturing the character of a place through quick and evocative sketches.