Saada, the Wife of Abraham Ben-Chimol, and Préciada, One of Their Daughters

This watercolor captures a tender, intimate moment between Saada, the wife of Abraham Ben-Chimol, and their daughter Préciada, during a journey through Morocco. Saada, dressed in traditional attire, gazes directly out at us, her expression a mix of curiosity and composure. Her left arm gently encircles Préciada, who leans against her mother, looking down shyly. The rich colors and textures of their clothing are rendered with a vibrant immediacy, from Saada's patterned headscarf to the deep blue of her tunic and Préciada's striped garment. This work is a fascinating glimpse into the domestic life of a Jewish family in North Africa, a subject Delacroix explored during his 1832 trip, which profoundly influenced his Romantic vision of the 'Orient.'