Robert Gavin, RSA, (British, 1827-1883)

The Nautch Girl

The Nautch Girl
signed and inscribed 'R GAVIN ARSA/Tangier' (lower left)
oil on canvas
92 x 71.1cm (36 1/4 x 28in).

Provenance
Private collection, UK.

Born in Leith, Scotland, Robert Gavin lived and worked in Tangier from 1874 until 1878. Moorish life greatly inspired his artistic practice, particularly the bright colour and exoticism of the costumes he observed there. Gavin sent home works entitled Horse-shoeing at Tangiers, Moorish Girl of Tétouan and painted circa 1879, The Moorish Maiden's First Love, now in the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture, Edinburgh.