Who painted `Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid'?

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid' was painted by George de Sausmarez in 1855.

Where can I see `Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid'?

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid' is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is `Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid'?

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid' is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid'

George de Sausmarez , 1855

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid' 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. This watercolour forms part of a collection of forty‑five paintings executed on thirty‑five mounted sheets.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour forms part of a collection of forty‑five paintings executed on thirty‑five mounted sheets. The series records scenes encountered during a Nile expedition in 1855, encompassing both Egyptian and Nubian locales. The works are bound together in a half‑bound crimson morocco music case, the cover bearing the inscription “EGYPT.”

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a dilapidated settlement, its walls cracked and partially missing, revealing rough stone beneath. Windows are broken, and a strip of green moss clings to the lower façade. The sky is rendered in a pale, watery blue with faint cloud formations, underscoring the atmosphere of abandonment and the passage of time.

Technique & Style

Executed with thin, translucent washes, the artist employs quick, gestural brushstrokes to convey surface wear. A muted palette of earthy browns, grays, and subdued greens dominates, while the sky’s pale hue offers a subtle contrast. The handling of pigment suggests a focus on texture and the fleeting quality of light on decaying material.

History & Provenance

The watercolour was produced either during or shortly after the 1855 journey along the Nile, when the artist traveled both upstream and downstream. It remains within the original album, which has been preserved in its crimson morocco binding and continues to be catalogued as part of the museum’s collection of 19th‑century travel sketches.

Context

Mid‑19th‑century European interest in Egypt and Nubia spurred numerous visual records of the region’s architecture and landscape. This work reflects that trend, documenting the state of historic structures at a time when many were already in ruin, offering contemporary viewers insight into the condition of these sites before later restoration efforts.