The Rug Merchant
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About Reproduction
Bring the timeless beauty of Ettore Simonetti's The Rug Merchant into your home with a handmade oil painting reproduction. Carefully recreated on canvas by skilled artists using traditional techniques, this piece captures the delicate brushwork, subtle light, and vibrant color of the original masterpiece. With museum-level quality and rich texture, it brings elegance and artistic depth to any space. Enjoy free shipping and make this masterpiece a part of your personal collection.
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Original Description
Ettore Simonetti's The Rug Merchant (c.1880s) is a stunning Orientalist oil painting that transports viewers to a bustling Middle Eastern bazaar. The richly detailed scene depicts a merchant proudly displaying an exquisite carpet to potential buyers, surrounded by vibrant textiles, intricate ceramics, and atmospheric lighting that creates a sense of exotic allure. As a leading Italian Orientalist, Simonetti masterfully blends Academic precision with Romantic exoticism, capturing the Western fascination with "the Orient" during the 19th century. His meticulous attention to textile patterns and play of light through fabric folds shows the influence of French Orientalists like Jean-Léon Gérôme. The painting reflects the European taste for Eastern luxuries during the industrial age, when imported rugs became status symbols. While Orientalism has been reconsidered in modern art history, Simonetti's technical brilliance and ethnographic detail preserve valuable cultural documentation of cross-cultural exchange.
For interior spaces, The Rug Merchant makes a sophisticated statement in classic or global-inspired settings. Its warm palette of terracotta reds, ochres and indigos complements traditional libraries, masculine studies or collector's galleries with rich wood tones. The painting's ideal scale (original dimensions approximately 40x60 inches) commands attention above a Chesterfield sofa or as the focal point in an entryway. Pair it with actual Persian or Kilim rugs to create layered texture, while brass accents and Moorish lanterns enhance the Eastern mood. In offices, it adds gravitas to executive spaces when flanked by leather-bound books and dark millwork. Smaller reproductions work beautifully in dining rooms when coordinated with jewel-toned china collections. The painting's narrative quality invites conversation, making it ideal for spaces meant for contemplation or cultural exchange. A gilded frame enhances its Old World charm, while a simpler walnut frame creates cleaner contrast in contemporary settings.
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Lead Time & Shipping
When you order this oil painting replica, it typically takes 2-3 weeks to paint. If the artwork is more complex, it might need a little more time to ensure the best quality. Once it's ready, we'll send you a photo for your approval. After you give the green light, we'll ship it to you for free.
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Return & Refund
We believe in the quality of our hand-painted oil painting reproductions, and your satisfaction is our priority. If for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we offer a 45-day return policy. You can return your artwork within 45 days of receipt and receive a full refund. Please note that the artwork must be returned in the original packaging and in the same condition as it was received.
