Who painted Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo?

Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo was painted by Egron Sillif Lundgren in 1862.

Where can I see Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo?

Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo?

Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo

Egron Sillif Lundgren , 1862

Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Egron Sillif Lundgren. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The artist wrote "Cairo" and "1862" in the corner, hinting this was drawn in Egypt.

This sketch shows five heads of people wearing simple headscarves. The faces are drawn lightly in watercolor, with soft lines and little detail. The paper looks worn, and the colors are mostly light browns and tans.

The artist wrote "Cairo" and "1862" in the corner, hinting this was drawn in Egypt. The faces all have a calm, quiet look, with eyes closed or looking down.

Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of this artist’s work.

Overview

Egron Sillif Lundgren’s watercolour, titled *Heads of Egyptian Children, Cairo*, dates to 1862. Executed on modest paper, the drawing presents five youthful figures, each shaded with muted browns and tans. The work is modest in scale and was recorded as having sold at a Sotheby’s auction in February 1964 for £18.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the heads of five children, each adorned with simple head coverings typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century Egypt. Their expressions are subdued; some eyes are closed, others gaze downward, conveying a quiet, introspective mood rather than narrative action.

Technique & Style

Lundgren employed a light wash of watercolour, allowing soft, barely defined lines to suggest facial features. The palette is restrained to earth tones, and the paper’s aged surface contributes to a weathered appearance, emphasizing the sketch‑like quality of the study.

History & Provenance

The drawing bears the artist’s handwritten notations of the city and year, confirming its creation during Lundgren’s time in Egypt. It entered the market through a Sotheby’s sale on 12 February 1964, where it fetched a modest price, and later entered the museum’s collection.