JEAN-LEON GEROME (AFTER) English, 1824-1904 The Serpent Charmer, 1894 photogravure This black-and-white photogravure is a reproduction of the famous 1879 Orientalist painting titled "The Snake Charmer" by French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme. The scene is set in a tiled, palatial interior—likely inspired by the Topkapi Palace—where a young, nude boy stands with his back to the viewer, holding a large python that coils around his body. To the right, an older man sits on the floor playing a flute, while a group of armed, cloaked men sit against the intricate, calligraphic wall tiles to the left, watching the performance in various states of repose. Gérôme’s work is renowned for its hyper-realistic detail and its historical role in shaping Western perceptions of the "Orient" during the 19th century, blending meticulously researched architectural elements with a staged, voyeuristic narrative. Framed. Not examined out of frame. Plate; height: 8 in x width: 12 in. Matted: $150-250
