View of the Interior of a Dervish Temple with Dancers

• enlarge drawing

Drawing details

Artist: Formerly attributed to Leighton, Lord, Frederic (1830-1896), Baron of Stretton, P.R.A., painter and sculptor
Title: View of the Interior of a Dervish Temple with Dancers
Date: 1845-65
Media: Pencil and watercolour on white paper
Dimensions: 29.5 x 41.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0438 p.20
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Dervisch Kloster." in brown ink. Inscribed in German, lower centre "[illegible] Temple [sic] der Derwiches [sic] [illegible]" in pencil, which translates from the German as "Dervish monastry (or religious building) [illegible]

Interpretation

The Mewlewys were members of the Dervish sect, distinguished by their dancing, which was performed as an act of worship. The Chief or Scheik would recite two prayers which would be succeeded by the dance. The dancers positioned themselves on the left of the Sheik and advanced towards him slowly, making a salutation and passing the beginning the dance. The dance consisted of turning round on one foot while extending the arms. The dance was usually performed in groups of nine, eleven or thirteen, there are eleven figures here.

Description

Page from a sketchbook. View of the Interior of a Dervish temple with dancing dervishes and seated spectators in the foreground. 

Provenance

Presented to Leighton House Museum by 1926