Who painted Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt?

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt was painted by John Shae Perring in 1860.

Where can I see Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt?

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt?

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt

John Shae Perring , 1860

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist John Shae Perring. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Cleopatra's Needle, Alexandria, Egypt is a watercolour drawing created in 1860, depicting the ancient Egyptian obelisk in its Alexandria setting.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork focuses on the juxtaposition of the towering, intricately carved Cleopatra's Needle with its humble, arid surroundings, emphasizing the contrast between the monument's grandeur and its worn, aged context. A tiny figure at the base underscores the obelisk's scale.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece showcases detailed rendering of the obelisk's carvings, while also conveying the faded, weathered state of the monument and its environment through subtle colour and texture.

History & Provenance

Attributed to John Shae Perring, possibly from a second Egyptian visit in 1860, though the mount's inscription hints at some uncertainty regarding authorship. Perring had previously returned from Egypt in 1840.

Context

Part of a broader 19th-century artistic fascination with Egyptian antiquities, this work reflects the era's interest in documenting and interpreting ancient cultures.

Legacy

Now part of a collection akin to those found in institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, it contributes to the historical record of Cleopatra's Needle's state in the 19th century.