Artwork
Quay at Suez
Quay at Suez is a print by the Romanticist artist David Roberts. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The architecture has arched doorways and flat roofs, with a few people walking along the waterfront.
This sketch shows a quiet harbor scene with a mix of stone buildings and a tall tower. People sit on the edge of the water, some near small boats tied to the shore. The architecture has arched doorways and flat roofs, with a few people walking along the waterfront. In the background, a few ships float on calm water under a hazy sky.
The artist focused on daily life near the water, blending buildings and people into the scene. The light is soft, making everything look a little faded but peaceful.
Next, look up David Roberts (Scottish, 1796–1864) to see more of his travel sketches.
Overview
Quay at Suez is a 1839 print by David Roberts, a Scottish artist known for documenting his travels through detailed artworks.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene at the Suez waterfront, capturing daily life with people sitting by the water's edge and walking along the shore, amidst characteristic local architecture featuring arched doorways and flat roofs.
Technique & Style
Roberts' work is characterized by soft light and a blend of buildings and figures, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The scene is rendered with attention to detail, reflecting his practice of documenting travels through sketches later used for lithographs.
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…
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
Egypt and Nubia, Volume III: View on the Nile, Ferry to Gizeh
Tombs near Cairo
Damas. dans le Madan
Citadel of Jerusalem, without the Walls, Tower of David
Mosque, possibly in North Africa
Tombs of the Khalifs, Cairo
A view of an Indian city beside a river
Jaffa
An oriental port
Cairo
Egypt and Nubia, Volume III: The Entrance to the Citadel of Cairo