Artwork
Baggage Camel
Baggage Camel is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Frederick Goodall. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Baggage Camel is a watercolour created by Frederick Goodall in 1893, depicting a camel laden with cargo. The piece is characterized by its serene and simple composition.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a stationary camel on a light, flat ground, burdened with a yellow cloth, ropes, and a wooden pole. The cargo's specifics are not detailed, focusing instead on the camel's calm demeanor.
Technique & Style
Goodall employed soft, loose brushstrokes with gentle shading, eschewing hard lines. The even lighting and lack of strong shadows contribute to the overall calmness of the scene, emphasizing texture in the camel's rough, brown-and-tan fur.
History & Provenance
The watercolour was documented in the collection of Phillip Son & Neale, sold in July 1970 for £24. Its current location is the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
Created in 1893, the work reflects Goodall's interest in depicting everyday scenes, possibly influenced by his travels or contemporary fascination with exotic subjects.
Legacy
The piece is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, accessible for public viewing, contributing to the museum's holdings of late 19th-century watercolours.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Goodall spent his life chasing the light he first saw in Egypt—his watercolors glow with the same dusty gold he found in Cairo’s streets.
