Artwork

Red Sea. Date Palms and Arab Fort on the Island of Camaran

Red Sea. Date Palms and Arab Fort on the Island of Camaran, by Robert Moresby, watercolor, 1832
Red Sea. Date Palms and Arab Fort on the Island of Camaran, by Robert Moresby, watercolor, 1832

Red Sea. Date Palms and Arab Fort on the Island of Camaran is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Robert Moresby. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Red Sea.

About this work

Overview

Red Sea. Date Palms and Arab Fort on the Island of Camaran is a watercolour created by Captain Robert Moresby between 1829 and 1834, depicting a serene Red Sea landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork captures a tranquil scene of the Red Sea's shoreline, featuring date palms, ancient stone ruins, distant ships, and a fort on the island of Camaran, reflecting Moresby's observations during his survey.

Technique & Style

Characterized by muted tones of soft browns, pale greens, and dull blues, the watercolour conveys a sense of calm and fadedness, emphasizing simple, tall palm trees against an expansive, hazy sky.

History & Provenance

Part of the Searight Archive series, with related works at the National Maritime Museum, this piece was acquired from Mrs. Schidlof in December 1966.

Context

Created during an era of exploration, the work exemplifies the documentary approach of explorers like Moresby, who visually recorded remote locales.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Moresby

Artist

Robert Moresby

Captain Robert Moresby was a British naval officer, hydrographer and surveyor who served in the Bombay Marine and Indian Navy.