Artist: Frederick Goodall (English, 1822 – 1904)
Title: The Song of the Nubian Slave
Medium: Antique engraving on wove paper after the original oil on canvas by Master Engraver William Callio Roffe (British, 1817 – c.1894).
Signature: Signed in the plate.
Dimensions: Image Size 7 1/4 x 9 inches.
Framed Dimensions: Approximately 16 x 18 inches.
Framing: This piece has been professionally matted and framed using all new materials.
Nubians are an ethnolinguistic group indigenous to present-day Sudan and southern Egypt who originate from the early inhabitants of the central Nile valley, believed to be one of the earliest cradles of civilization. Nubian people have an ancient history predating dynastic Egypt. They speak the Nubian languages, which belong to the Nilo-Saharan language family. In the pre-dynastic period, early Neolithic settlements have been found in the central Nubian region dating back to 7000 BC, with Wadi Halfa believed to be the oldest settlement in the central Nile valley. During the dynastic period, parts of Nubia such as Ta-Seti (the first nome or administrative region of ancient Egypt) were continuously a part of ancient Egypt throughout the dynastic era Other parts of Nubia, particularly Southern or Upper Nubia, were at times a part of ancient Pharaonic Egypt and at other times a rival state representing parts of the Empire of Meroë or the Kushite Kingdom. However, by the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, all of Nubia was united with Egypt, extending down to modern day Khartoum. Towards the end of the dynastic era, Upper Nubia broke off from Egypt proper. During that time, the Nubians founded a dynasty that ruled Upper and Lower Egypt during the 8th century BC. As warriors, the ancient Nubians were famous for their skill and precision with the bow. Today, people of Nubian descent primarily live in southern Egypt, especially in the Luxor and Aswan area, and in northern Sudan, particularly in the region between the city of Wadi Halfa on the Egyptian-Sudanese border and Al Dabbah. Additionally, several groups known as the Hill Nubians live in the northern Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan state, Sudan. The main Nubian groups from north to south are the Halfaweyen, Sikut, Mahas and Dongola.
Frederick Goodall was an English artist. Goodall was born in 1822, the second son of steel line engraver Edward Goodall (1795–1870). He received his education at the Wellington Road Academy. Frederick’s first commission, for Isambard Brunel, was six watercolour paintings of the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Four of these were exhibited at the Royal Academy when Frederick was 16. His first oil won a Society of Arts silver medal. He exhibited work at the Royal Academy 27 times between 1838 and 1859. He was elected Associate of the Royal Academy in 1852. The Finding of Moses by Frederick Goodall Goodall visited Egypt in 1858 and again in 1870, both times travelling and camping with Bedouin tribesmen. In order to provide authentic detail to his paintings, Goodall brought back sheep and goats from Egypt. The Egyptian theme was prominent in his work, with 170 paintings being exhibited at the Royal Academy over 46 years. Goodall’s work received high praise and acclaim from critics and artists alike and he earned a fortune from his paintings. He had a home built at Grim’s Dyke, Harrow Weald, where he would entertain guests such as the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). Frederick married Anne Thomson in 1846. Among their children were artists Frederick Trevelyan, Howard and Herbert. Anne died in 1869. Frederick Trevelyan Goodall. was the most successful in a very short career. He died accidentally at the age of 24. In 1872, Frederick married Alice Tarry; they had two children, Frederica and Frederick W. Frederick’s brother, Edward Angelo Goodall (1819–1908) was also a highly gifted artist who exhibited at the RA from 1846 to 1853. A specialist in watercolours, he was invited to join the RWS (Royal Watercolour Society) in 1856 and exhibited 328 pictures at its exhibitions. It was Edward who had the distressing task of arranging the sale of his brother’s pictures and effects when he was declared bankrupt in 1902. His other brother Walter Goodall was also a notable watercolour artist.