Artwork

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine is a lithographic print from 1848, capturing a serene cityscape of the Esouan region and Elephantine Island.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts daily life in a Middle Eastern setting, with small boats transporting people and goods on a calm river, set against a backdrop of low, sandy buildings, palm trees, and a prominent fortress-like structure.

Technique & Style

Employing lithography, the artist achieves a muted, dusty palette with soft clouded skies. Strategic use of light and shadow imbues the scene with a calm, dreamy ambiance, characteristic of Romantic influences.

History & Provenance

Created by Louis Haghe, a Belgian-born British lithographer and watercolorist, this work is part of a larger series. Haghe was co-founder of Day & Haghe, a leading Victorian-era lithographic firm in London.

Context

The work reflects 19th-century European fascination with exotic, distant lands, aligning with Romanticism's emphasis on nature and the allure of remote locales.