LewisJF-PrinceIskanderAndHisNubianServant John Frederick Lewis (1804-1876)

The watercolor presents a scene of apparent domesticity within what appears to be an opulent interior space. A young boy, seated on a richly patterned rug, occupies the foreground. He is dressed in elaborate attire – a red tunic with gold detailing and a tall, cylindrical hat – suggesting a position of considerable status or privilege. His posture is somewhat languid; he rests his arms upon his knees, exhibiting an air of youthful entitlement.
Beside him stands a man of darker complexion, clad in similar vibrant red garments and a matching headpiece. He holds a feathered fan in one hand and leans a long, slender object – likely a ceremonial staff or spear – against the wall behind him. His gaze is directed downwards, conveying an impression of deference and servitude. The contrast between their skin tones immediately draws attention to the racial dynamic at play within the composition.
The background is rendered with less detail but reveals more architectural complexity. A large, ornately decorated screen dominates the space, its intricate patterns suggesting a culture distinct from Western European traditions. Light filters through this screen, creating a diffused glow that softens the edges of the figures and contributes to an overall atmosphere of exoticism.
The color palette is dominated by reds and golds, which amplify the sense of luxury and grandeur. The artist’s use of loose brushstrokes and washes creates a fluid, almost dreamlike quality, further enhancing the feeling of otherness. Subtly, the composition explores themes of power, status, and the complex relationships between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. The arrangement of figures – the boy centrally positioned and attended to by his companion – underscores hierarchies inherent in social structures. While seemingly a straightforward depiction of two individuals, the work carries implications about colonialism, representation, and the construction of identity within a specific historical context.