The Guard 1907

Ludwig Deutsch painted this oil on canvas, "The Guard," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's all about layering and detail, Deutsch takes a lot of time to describe the world in front of him, and the result is fascinating. I’m really drawn to how the steam from the incense almost blends into the stone wall behind it, and it’s difficult to tell whether the steam is actually coming from the smoking incense or just the way that the artist has laid down the paint to depict the rough texture of the wall. The guard’s clothes are smooth and luminous, in contrast. It’s a really gorgeous study of contrasts. The piece makes me think of the work of Jean-Léon Gérôme, another Orientalist painter who shared an interest in historical accuracy and narrative drama. But where Gérôme goes for spectacle, Deutsch is more intimate, offering us a quiet moment of contemplation. This isn't just a painting; it's an open question.