Album was painted by George de Sausmarez in 1855.

Where can I see Album?

Album is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Album?

Album is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Album

George de Sausmarez , 1855

Album is a watercolor work on paper by the Biedermeier artist George de Sausmarez. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour album contains 45 scenes of Egypt and Nubia on 35 mounts, created following a Nile journey in or after 1855. The collection is housed in a worn, half-bound crimson morocco music binder, now with a faded green appearance, bearing the gold-embossed title 'EGYPT' and the owner's name, General Sausmarez, in ink.

Subject & Meaning

The album's watercolours document the artist's encounters with Egyptian and Nubian landscapes and cultures during their Nile expedition. The subjects, though unspecified in detail here, likely capture architectural, scenic, or daily life aspects of these regions, reflecting 19th-century European interest in Orientalist themes and exploration.

Technique & Style

Each watercolour is executed over pencil drawings, enhanced with white highlights and water- and bodycolour for depth. The artworks are mounted on 'PRINTING BOARD'-stamped card, indicating the use of sturdy, pre-manufactured paper supports. The style, while unstated, would typically align with contemporary watercolour practices of detailed, observant rendering.

History & Provenance

Created in or after 1855, the album belonged to General Sausmarez, as evidenced by his handwritten name on the cover. Its current location is the Victoria and Albert Museum, though the full provenance between its creation and museum acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

The album reflects the era's fascination with travel, exploration, and the Orient. Such collections served both as personal mementos and as vehicles for sharing experiences with a broader, often aristocratic or intellectually curious audience.

Legacy

As part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, the album contributes to the historical record of 19th-century travel art and Orientalist watercolour practices, offering insights into the artistic and exploratory interests of its time.