The Prince and the Princess (Illustration for The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam)
Original book illustration; mixed media on paper or board • Willy Pogany (Hungarian, 1882–1955)
Style & Movement
Golden Age of Illustration; Art Nouveau influence with Orientalist themes
Medium & Technique
Watercolor, pen and ink, and gouache. Techniques include fine-line drawing, delicate washes, and stippling to create texture in the foliage.
Creation Period
Circa 1909
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 8 inches; Portrait format
Subject Description
A courtly scene depicting a young Persian prince bowing deeply before a princess and her attendants. The composition features a large overhanging flowering tree, a white architectural wall with a green mashrabiya window, and a mosque dome in the background. The figures are dressed in stylized 11th-century Persian-inspired attire.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (estimated from print reproduction). Visible signs of archival yellowing consistent with early 20th-century paper stocks.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $8,000 USD (for the original illustration)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $6,000 USD
Provenance History
Commissioned for the 1909 edition of George G. Harrap & Co. (London) publication of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Likely held in private collections since the mid-20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Willy Pogany was a central figure in the Golden Age of Illustration. This work represents a shift toward the 'Orientalist' fantasy style that became highly popular in the Edwardian era. His Rubaiyat illustrations are considered among his finest works, competing with contemporary versions by Edmund Dulac.
Notable Features
Signature 'Willy Pogany' in the lower right corner; distinctive uses of negative space (the white wall) to create a sense of heat and light; intricate detail in the prince's sword and the attendants' textiles.
Condition Issues
Common issues for this period include peripheral foxing, light acidity from original mounting boards, and potential fading of fugitive watercolor pigments if exposed to UV light.
Conservation Recommendations
Mounting using acid-free museum-grade materials, UV-filtering glass, and climate-controlled storage to prevent further paper oxidation.