Fünf Beduinen (1918)

We are thrilled to highlight a vivid and compelling work from our collection, Ernst Schiess's "Fünf Beduinen," created in 1918. This distinctive painting captures a group of five Bedouins set against a loosely brushed, expressive landscape that evokes a certain raw serenity typical of the natural environment they inhabit.The figures are portrayed with striking simplicity, yet each carries an individual essence and character. From left to right across the canvas, we see an array of poses: One figure sits solemnly, another seems wrapped in her thoughts, while yet another stands, perhaps scanning the horizon. Their traditional dress, rendered in blues, whites, and hints of brighter colors like orange and red, flourishes under Schiess's brush, suggesting both the texture of the fabric and the personal stories woven into them.What makes "Fünf Beduinen" stand out is Schiess's use of color and form. He employs an approach that focuses not on meticulous detail but on the overall impact of color and composition to express a deeper narrative about human life within the vast embrace of nature. Through this vibrant interplay of hues, Ernst Schiess not only brings out the cultural richness of the Bedouin attire but also paints an intimate tableau of everyday life in a way that is both universal and specific.This painting is a beautiful reminder of the diversity of human experiences and the power of art to encapsulate them, providing viewers a glimpse into a world both foreign and familiar. Schiess’s work invites us to pause and reflect on the stories and lives of others, far removed in time and place yet evocatively close through the universal language of art.