View of an Ethiopian Brothel, 1936.
Gouache on board by an Armenian-Ethiopian artist, 1936 (c).
In naive style.
A tent painted with two red crosses, a woman sits outside playing a begena; a ten-stringed box-lyre instrument.
Signed bottom left, ‘H Erzingatzian’.
Associated with 2nd Italo-Abyssinian War (1935-1936).

In August 1935 the Sikh Company of 5th Bn 14th Punjab Regiment (Pathans) was sent to Addis Ababa to guard the British Legation in Ethiopia and remained there for 15 months.
The red cross does not indicate medical work but is the mark of a brothel. The painting is accompanied by a black and white photograph of a similar scene.