Artwork
Temple of Edfoo
Temple of Edfoo is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Oliver Matthew Laton. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Temple of Edfu is a watercolour painting created by Captain Oliver Matthew Laton in 1860. It depicts an ancient Egyptian temple site.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a row of weathered stone columns and doorways under a flat blue sky, capturing the effects of light on the worn surfaces. The scene conveys a sense of age and decay, typical of sketches from travelers documenting ancient sites.
Technique & Style
The artist used watercolour to achieve a range of tonal values, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow on the weathered stone. The style is characteristic of realistic sketches from the period, focusing on observational detail.
History & Provenance
The watercolour was purchased from A. Mathews in April 1972 for £6, according to Rodney Searight's records.
Artist & collection
Artist
Oliver Matthew Laton painted Temple of Edfu in watercolour around 1860, a single sheet showing the Egyptian temple rising from papyrus-dotted banks.
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Interior of the Temple of Karnak, Thebes Upper Egypt.
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Karnak