Who painted Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo?

Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo was painted by Louis Haghe in 1846.

Where can I see Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo?

Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo?

Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo

Louis Haghe , 1846

Egypt & Nubia, Volume III, No. 8: Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Cairo is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print depicts the central courtyard of the Mosque of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, constructed between 1356 and 1363 during the Mamluk period. The image features a sahn with an ablutions fountain and two of the four monumental iwans, showcasing lavish stone and marble mosaics.

Subject & Meaning

The mosque, a prominent Mamluk architectural achievement, symbolizes the era's cultural and religious significance. The print highlights its key elements: the courtyard, fountain, and iwans, which facilitated religious rites and scholarly activities.

Technique & Style

The print demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, with intricate renderings of carved patterns and mosaics. Although created almost 500 years after the mosque's construction, it faithfully reproduces architectural details from secondary sketches.

History & Provenance

The mosque's construction (1356-1363) drew craftsmen from the Islamic world, contributing to its innovative design. Possibly incorporating stone from the Great Pyramid of Giza, it stands as a testament to Mamluk engineering and artistry. The print, made centuries later, relies on earlier sketches for its depiction.

Context

The print's creation, despite the artist's lack of firsthand observation, reflects 19th-century European interest in documenting and disseminating images of Middle Eastern architectural heritage, often through secondary sources.

Legacy

This print, now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, contributes to a broader archival effort to visually preserve and make accessible iconic architectural sites like the Mosque of Sultan Hassan to a wider audience.