Artwork
Pyramids of Gizeh from Old Cairo
Pyramids of Gizeh from Old Cairo is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist David Roberts. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Pyramids of Gizeh from Old Cairo is a watercolour painting created by David Roberts in 1845, capturing the ancient monuments from a vantage point in Old Cairo.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's central subject is the Pyramids of Gizeh, framed against a dynamic sky and reflected in a foreground body of water, with a group of people in the lower foreground, contextualizing human presence alongside the ancient wonder.
Technique & Style
Roberts employs a range of colours, from warm earth tones for the pyramids to cool blues and greys for the sky and water, leveraging light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere, characteristic of the Romantic movement's emphasis on emotional and imaginative engagement.
History & Provenance
Signed and dated 1845 by David Roberts, the painting's specific ownership history prior to its current location is not detailed here.
Context
Created during a period of heightened European interest in the Orient, the work reflects Roberts' travels and the Romantic era's fascination with exotic, historical, and monumental subjects.
Legacy
As part of Roberts' oeuvre, it contributes to the broader legacy of 19th-century Romantic watercolour painting, particularly in the depiction of Middle Eastern landscapes and architectural wonders.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Roberts (24 October 1796 – 25 November 1864) was a Scottish painter. He is especially known for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a prolific series of detailed lithograph prints of Egypt and…
