How does this artwork elucidate its Description?
This painting in the orientalist style is a good example of the "passion for color and movement" that gripped Chasseriau at this time. The equestrian portrait represents Ali Ben Ahmed, the leader of the Haraktas, in Algeria, who had invited Chassériau during his visit to Paris. He appears triumphantly riding his brown horse, dressed in his typical Arab garment, followed by four members of his tribe, one of them black, also riding horses and holding spears. Clouds of dust rise from the horses' hooves. In the background at the right is an Arab city, with some buildings in Moorish style.
Haraktas orientalist Algeria