Artwork
Asouan and Elephantine
Asouan and Elephantine is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Maria Harriett Mathias. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Asouan and Elephantine is a watercolour drawing created by Maria Harriet Mathias in 1857. It is a serene river scene, characteristic of the artist's travel sketches.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a tranquil view of Asouan, featuring a calm river, distant hills, and a village on the far shore. The scene conveys a sense of peacefulness, likely reflecting the artist's experience during her travels in Egypt.
Technique & Style
The artist employed soft, light strokes and muted colours, primarily browns, blues, and whites, to achieve a simple and airy effect. This approach contributes to the overall serenity of the scene.
History & Provenance
Asouan and Elephantine was likely part of an album containing the artist's watercolour views from a tour of Egypt, the Levant, and Italy. The album was sold at Christie's in 1978, then acquired by The Fine Art Society, before being obtained by the Royal Geographical Society.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maria Harriet Mathias painted delicate watercolors of the Middle East in 1857. The five works in this set show views from Egypt and Lebanon—Edfoo’s temple walls, cedar groves, a boat trip near Asouan, the skyline of…
