Artwork

`Cataracts of Assouan. Midway. - Our Candjia Moored for the Night - On the Nile'

`Cataracts of Assouan. Midway. - Our Candjia Moored for the Night - On the Nile' is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist George de Sausmarez. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

George de Sausmarez's watercolour *Cataracts of Assouan. Midway. - Our Candjia Moored for the Night - On the Nile* is a watercolour piece depicting a Nile scene, part of a larger collection of 45 works on 35 mounts focusing on Egyptian and Nubian views.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork captures a moment of temporary anchorage during a Nile journey, specifically at the midway point of the Assouan Cataracts. The scene conveys a sense of pause amidst travel, with the moored 'Candjia' boat and the contrasting calm of the distant landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece features expressive brushwork, evident in the choppy water and jagged cliffs. The tilted mast of the boat and the detailed title inscription at the bottom add to the sketch's sense of immediacy and observational precision.

History & Provenance

Created during or following an 1855 expedition along the Nile, the watercolour is housed in a half-bound crimson morocco music binder, marked 'EGYPT' on the front, as part of a loose album.

Context

This work reflects 19th-century European artistic fascination with Orientalist themes and the Nile's exotic landscapes. It aligns with a tradition of travel sketches documenting exploratory journeys.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, the piece contributes to the broader legacy of Nile expedition art, offering insights into 19th-century travel and artistic practices. Similar works can be found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum.