3-008-753 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The First-Born", by F. Goodall, A.R.A., in the International Exhibition, 1862. Engraving of a painting. '"The First-born" is distinguished for its splendour and intensity of colour and tone and its breadth and completeness of effect...A gentleman who was with the artist at the time tells us that the swarthy model was a Copt woman from the "Christian" or "Copt quarter" of Cairo, and that the fine type and form of these women are not exaggerated. She wears the usual long veil and black hábbarah of the Cairene women. The taste for hanging the earrings and dress with Venetian sequins and other gold coins is shown here, even the cap of the infant being thus decorated...our lady-readers know the fashion has lately been adopted by European ladies. The coffee-table, curiously inlaid with ivory and mother-of-pearl, is short, to suit the low divans and the recumbent position assumed when taking refreshments. Through the perforations of the metal vessel on the table the smoke of burning perfume is escaping, exemplifying the common local custom of scenting apartments'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.