Study Of Three Arabs 

John Frederick Lewis made this study of three Arabs using watercolor and graphite on paper. The artist’s choice of materials creates a light, almost transparent quality, giving the figures a sense of immediacy and presence. Lewis's delicate handling of watercolor and graphite defines the texture of clothing, the play of light on skin, and the subtle contours of faces. The techniques themselves reflect a long tradition of draftsmanship and the skilled application of pigment, but here they also represent the artist's personal encounter with a different culture. This was a period in art history when Orientalism was in vogue, but this artwork avoids the more theatrical depictions of Middle Eastern life. The work involved meticulous observation and skillful translation of light and form, reflecting the amount of time involved in studying the subject in situ. By focusing on the act of making and the skillful manipulation of materials, we can appreciate the artwork's significance beyond its representational qualities.