Who painted The Second Pyramid, Gizeh?

The Second Pyramid, Gizeh was painted by Francis Arundale in 1838.

Where can I see The Second Pyramid, Gizeh?

The Second Pyramid, Gizeh is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Second Pyramid, Gizeh?

The Second Pyramid, Gizeh is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

The Second Pyramid, Gizeh

Francis Arundale , 1838

The Second Pyramid, Gizeh 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 watercolour entitled *The Second Pyramid, Gizeh* dates to 1838. Executed in a delicate wash, the work portrays the solitary second pyramid of the Giza plateau against an expansive desert plain. The composition emphasizes the monument’s smooth, weathered faces and the subtle play of shadow, while diminutive figures in the foreground underscore the scale of the landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents the second pyramid as an isolated, timeless form, its muted tones conveying a sense of quiet endurance rather than dramatic spectacle. The sparse human presence—small groups traversing the sand—suggests the enduring relationship between ancient architecture and contemporary travelers, inviting contemplation of the monument’s lasting presence within an unchanging environment.

Technique & Style

Arundale employed soft, translucent watercolours to render the pyramid’s surface, allowing light and shadow to merge gently across its planes. The sky is rendered in a pale wash that recedes, enhancing the monument’s mass. Fine, restrained brushwork defines the distant figures, while the overall palette remains muted, reinforcing the work’s calm, observational tone.

History & Provenance

The image originated from sketches made by E.J. Andrews during the 1837 Egyptian expedition led by Vyse and Perring. Arundale’s watercolour was subsequently published in the 1840 volume *Pyramids* edited by Perring, alongside other expedition illustrations. The original work entered the art market at Sotheby’s in May 1967, where it was sold to a private collector.

Context

Created during a period of heightened European interest in Egyptian antiquities, the drawing reflects the scholarly approach of early nineteenth‑century expeditions. By translating field sketches into a finished watercolour, Arundale contributed to the visual documentation that accompanied archaeological reports, helping to disseminate knowledge of Giza’s monuments to a broader audience.