Who painted Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy?

Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy was painted by Francis Arundale in 1838.

Where can I see Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy?

Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy?

Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy

Francis Arundale , 1838

Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Francis Arundale. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Francis Arundale’s 1838 watercolour, titled *Pyramid of Abu Roash from the Village of Kerdassy*, depicts a modest desert scene with a distant rocky rise, scattered palms, and a small group of figures near a shallow watercourse. The palette is dominated by muted browns and gentle greens, under a softly lit sky.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a tranquil moment on the Egyptian frontier, emphasizing the interplay of human presence and arid landscape. The figures—walkers and a rider—anchor the scene, while the reflective water and sparse vegetation suggest a fleeting oasis within an otherwise barren environment.

Technique & Style

Arundale renders the terrain with delicate washes, allowing the sand and rock to recede into atmospheric perspective. Fine brushwork conveys the texture of palm fronds and the subtle glint of water, while the limited colour range reinforces the work’s serene, observational tone.

History & Provenance

The drawing derives from sketches made by E.J. Andrews during the 1837 Egyptian expedition of Richard Vyse and John S. Perring. It appeared as a lithographic illustration in Vyse’s *Operations* (1842) and Perring’s *Pyramids* (1842), though the printed version was credited to Perring. The original watercolour entered the museum’s collection after being acquired from Frank T. Sabin in July 1963.