Who painted Drawing of the Dome of the Rock?

Drawing of the Dome of the Rock was painted by William Harvey.

Where can I see Drawing of the Dome of the Rock?

Drawing of the Dome of the Rock is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Drawing of the Dome of the Rock

Drawing of the Dome of the Rock is a drawing by William Harvey. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

William Harvey’s 1909 coloured record drawing presents a stylised view of the Dome of the Rock, rendered as if observed through a stained‑glass pane. The narrow, vertical composition captures the iconic octagonal structure with its distinctive golden dome, employing vivid reds, blues and golds that echo the luminous quality of glass.

Subject & Meaning

The work records the celebrated Jerusalem shrine, emphasizing its ornamental surface and Arabic inscription that runs across the façade. By translating the building’s intricate tilework into simplified, swirling patterns, Harvey highlights the interplay of light and colour that characterises the monument’s interior ambience.

Technique & Style

Harvey employed a record‑drawing approach, using bold washes of pigment to suggest the translucency of stained glass. The composition relies on flat areas of saturated colour and decorative motifs rather than precise architectural rendering, creating an energetic, almost decorative interpretation of the historic edifice.

History & Provenance

Catalogued under reference E.1270‑1963, the drawing was later reproduced as Figure 5 in Harvey’s own article “Colour in Architecture,” which appeared in the Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects, volume 29, number 16, on 17 June 1922. The piece remains part of the institution’s archival collection.

Context

Created at a time when architects and designers were exploring the visual impact of colour in built environments, the drawing reflects early‑20th‑century interest in integrating artistic media—such as stained glass—into architectural documentation.