Arab Fiddler
Oil on canvas, 87.6 x 60.5 cm, by Pedro Américo, 1884
Museo Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

An Orientalist portrait featuring a young Arab girl holding a violin. She wears flowing white garments and a red cap, seated against a richly decorated tapestry that adds texture and cultural depth to the scene. Her calm, focused expression and gentle posture reflect a quiet dignity, while the presence of the violin introduces a blend of Eastern identity with Western artistic influence. Américo’s refined style brings a sense of elegance and admiration to the subject, celebrating both beauty and cultural richness.