Artwork
Crusaders Castle Graia Gulph of Akabah
Crusaders Castle Graia Gulph of Akabah 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
Crusaders Castle Graia Gulph of Akabah is a watercolour painting by Maria Harriett Matthias, created during her travels to the Middle East in 1856-7.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a castle on Pharaoh's Island in the Gulf of Aqaba, originally built by Baldwin I of Jerusalem in about 1115. The castle has a complex history, having been controlled by various powers including the Crusaders, Saladin, the Mamluks, and the Ottomans.
History & Provenance
Maria Harriett Matthias travelled with her husband and possibly her brother-in-law to Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon in 1856-7, documenting her journey in an album of watercolours, including this painting.
Technique & Style
Despite being considered an amateur artist, Maria Harriett Matthias demonstrates skill in her use of watercolour.
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…
