Artwork

The Musabagh

The Musabagh, by Felice A. Beato, 1858
The Musabagh, by Felice A. Beato, 1858

The Musabagh is a photography by the Impressionist artist Felice A. Beato. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Musabagh is a photograph created by Felice A. Beato in 1858, currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a large, ornate building with a dome, featuring numerous windows and arches, accompanied by people and horses in the foreground.

Technique & Style

Rendered in black and white, the photograph employs strong contrasts between light and dark, creating a sense of volume and depth.

Context

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique evident in this work, is also seen in the images of other artists who exploit light and shadow to convey three-dimensional form.

Artist & collection

Artist

Felice A. Beato

Felice A. Beato and Felice Antonio Beato are collective signatures used by the brothers Felice Beato and Antonio Beato, who were both pioneering photographers in the 19th century. They were noted for their depictions of…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.