"A Pool at the Edge of the Desert" - Frederick Goodall R.A.

A tranquil moment rendered in rich detail, Frederick Goodall’s A Pool at the Edge of the Desert captures the serenity of pastoral life at the margins of arid wilderness. In this luminous desert landscape, a white-robed shepherdess stands watchfully beside a small watering hole as her flock drinks peacefully. Beside her, a second young girl cradles a lamb in her arms while two distant figures lead camels across the golden expanse. A pearlescent blue-green sky stretches over short grasses and sun-warmed earth, infusing the scene with a sense of quiet grace and timelessness.

Executed in oil on canvas and measuring 24 x 50 inches, this composition demonstrates Goodall’s hallmark sensitivity to light and atmosphere, hallmarks of his mature Orientalist period. Signed with his monogram at lower right, the piece is a fine example of his deeply romantic yet carefully observed portrayals of Egyptian life—drawn from firsthand experience during his travels to Cairo in the 1850s and 70s. The panoramic scale invites the viewer into an intimate narrative that evokes both the stillness and dignity of everyday life.

Frederick Goodall was one of the most prominent British Orientalist painters of the 19th century, exhibiting more than 170 works at the Royal Academy and earning widespread acclaim during his lifetime. A Pool at the Edge of the Desert reflects both his technical mastery and his nuanced approach to depicting the landscapes and people he encountered. This work offers not only a glimpse into a distant world but a rare opportunity to collect a painting by one of the era’s most respected artists.