2-982-223 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Daughters of the Alhambra" - painted by J. Phillip - from the Royal Academy Exhibition, 1858. 'Spain, which has offered so many tempting subjects to art, has found for them few more intelligent and feeling interpreters than Mr. Phillip...The Alhambra has afforded him materials for many a pleasing and suggestive picture, but none more so than the one before us, which is full of life and colour, and set in an admirable framework of quaint antique architecture. The two daughters of the Alhambra, in whose rich, swarthy complexions the old Oriental blood is clearly traceable, are at an open window of the ancient palace of the Moorish Kings, which is separated into two compartments by a tall taper pillar. Full of health and innocent gaiety are the youthful pair, fanning themselves in the evening of a bright summer's day, and having no care beyond the moment. On the sill of the window is a vase full of fresh flowers, from which one of the young ladies has selected a white rose, to decorate the hair of her companion. The whole forms a charming little group-charming none the less for its simplicity, produced in a rich and glowing tone of colour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.