Artwork

Egypt and Nubia: Volume II - No. 28, General View of Asouan and the Island of Elephantine

Egypt and Nubia: Volume II - No. 28, General View of Asouan and the Island of Elephantine is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1838, this lithographic print presents a panoramic view of Aswan and the island of Elephantine on the Nile.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1838, this lithographic print presents a panoramic view of Aswan and the island of Elephantine on the Nile. The composition captures a tranquil river scene, with modest vessels near the shore and a cluster of structures perched on a rocky cliff, while distant palm‑fringed banks fade into a soft, hazy sky.

Subject & Meaning

The image documents the architectural and natural landscape of Upper Egypt, juxtaposing the ancient ruins on the cliff with the everyday activity of river traffic. By emphasizing calm water and gentle light, the work conveys a sense of peaceful permanence in a region historically marked by both civilization and change.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the print reflects the delicate hand of a trained watercolourist. Light tonal variations and smooth gradations create atmospheric depth, while the restrained palette underscores the Romantic interest in serene, picturesque vistas of exotic locales.

History & Provenance

The piece is part of a larger series titled *Egypt and Nubia*, produced by British lithographer Louis Hagge, co‑founder of the Day & Haghe printing house in London. The series, issued in the late 1830s, catered to European curiosity about the Nile region and contributed to the visual record of early Victorian travel literature.