Artwork
The last of the Camel Corps
The last of the Camel Corps is a watercolor work on paper by the American Impressionist artist William S. Perry. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Last of the Camel Corps is a watercolour by William S. Perry, one of 27 works documenting the British Campaign in Egypt (1882) and the Nile Expedition (1884–85).
Subject & Meaning
The watercolour depicts a desert camp scene featuring soldiers of the Camel Corps, a military unit that utilized camels, with men attending to the animals, equipment, and themselves amidst a rocky backdrop.
Technique & Style
Perry employed muted browns and tans to capture the desert environment, with noticeable texture work on the sand and soldiers' worn uniforms, reflecting a grounded, observational approach.
History & Provenance
Created in the context of contemporary illustrated newspapers (e.g., The Illustrated London News, The Graphic), this work is part of a broader series by Perry, with comparable pieces by other artists (Count Gleichen, O. Norie) found in related collections.
Context
The piece is informed by the military events of the British Campaign in Egypt and the Nile Expedition, aligning with the era's journalistic illustrations while offering a specific artistic perspective on these historical events.
Legacy
The work is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, where it is available for public viewing.
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…
