JEAN-LÉON GÉRÔME | THE HELPING HAND

Abel Buckley, Esq., Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw (1835-1908; his sale: Christie’s, London, 27 May 1910, London, lot 43 (as The Blind Beggar))

Henry Wallis, London (1830-1916; purchased from the above) 

E. A. Budgen, London (sale: Christie's, London, 31 March 1978, lot 164 (as The Blind Beggar))

Sale: Sotheby's, London, 24 March 1982, lot 185

Mathaf Gallery, London

Purchased from the above

Oeuvres de J. L. Gérôme, vol. XVII, no. 5

Gerald M. Ackerman, The Life and Work of Jean-Léon Gérôme, Paris, 1986, pp. 284-85, no. 461, catalogued & illustrated (as The Blind Man of Cairo, L'Aveugle du Caire and dated circa 1899-1900; whereabouts unknown)

Caroline Juler, Najd Collection of Orientalist Paintings, London, 1991, p. 138, cited, p. 144, catalogued & illustrated

Gerald M. Ackerman, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Monographie révisée, Paris, 2000, pp. 352-53, no. 461, catalogued & illustrated (as L'Aveugle du Caire and dated circa 1900; mistakenly as oil on canvas)

This powerful yet intimate image of an aged blind man being guided by a young girl reveals Gérôme's interest in all levels of Cairene society, from mercenaries to beggars. The girl appears focused on her double task, that of balancing oranges in her right hand and leading the man, possibly her grandfather, every step of the way. Despite the man’s physical condition, Gérôme imbues the scene with a moving sense of serenity and tenderness.

We are grateful to Dr Emily M. Weeks for her assistance in cataloguing this work which will be included in her revision of the artist's catalogue raisonné by Gerald M. Ackerman.