Sale: Christie's, London, 2 July 2008, lot 2
Purchased atꦫ the above sale by the present owner

Original canvas. There are a few scattered spots of retouching, notably to the wrist of the second figure from the right, and to the sash of the third figure from the right. Apart from some light frame rubbing along the extreme edges of the canvas, this work is in very good condition and ready to hang. Held in a wide, decorative, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood frame, decorated with Oriental motifs.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The theme of a girl dancing in a desert encampment bathed in the rays of the setting sun was among Pilny's favourite subjects. He was especially interested in capturing the effects of directional light on the sand and figures in order to evoke a powerful impression, sometimes at the expense of ethnographic accuracy, as in the present work. While the individual figures and their costumes are minutely observed, they in fact hail from different parts of the Middle East: the figure on the left wears a Tunisian style fez, while the two seated men in the left foreground wear the headresses unique to modern-day Iraq and Saudi Arabia, respectively. The girl herself appears, judging by her complexion, to be North Afriacan, probably Egyptian.