Artwork
Bringing in a spy. Jan. 1885
Bringing in a spy. Jan. 1885 is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist William S. Perry. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in January 1885, this watercolour by William S.
About this work
Overview
Created in January 1885, this watercolour by William S. Perry captures a moment from the British military operations in Egypt and the Nile Valley during the early 1880s. The picture forms part of a series of twenty‑seven illustrations that documented the campaign’s actions, drawing on reports that appeared in periodicals such as The Illustrated London News and The Graphic.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a camel traversing a barren desert, a rider armed with a rifle perched atop, and a smaller figure—possibly a child—grasping the animal’s leg. The title, “Bringing in a spy,” suggests the composition records the apprehension of an informant or the precariousness of intelligence work amid the campaign’s hostile environment.
Technique & Style
Perry employed a loose, sketch‑like approach, allowing swift, fluid lines to outline the figures and terrain. The palette is muted, with soft washes that convey the heat and dust of the desert while emphasizing the immediacy of the moment rather than a finished, highly detailed rendering.
History & Provenance
The work was produced contemporaneously with the Nile Expedition of 1884–85 and reflects the visual reportage common in Victorian illustrated press. It is now held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed alongside other military sketches by artists such as Count Gleichen and O. Norie.
Artist & collection
Artist
A British watercolour artist active in the 1880s, William S. Perry painted scenes from Egypt’s military outposts in vivid, portable washes. His sheets include Outpost duty at El Gubat. Night. (1886) and Outpost duty at…
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