Artwork
Tomb of a private family of wealth - Cairo -
Tomb of a private family of wealth - Cairo - is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Antonio Schranz. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1801 watercolour by Antonio Schranz Jr. depicts a private family tomb in Cairo's Southern Cemetery, specifically the 1686 Tomb of Radwan Bay. The work is a detailed, muted-colour representation of the monument.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the ornate, domed pavilion of the tomb, characterized by four columns supporting a balcony and intricate wall and roof patterns. The focus on architectural detail suggests the work's purpose as a historical record of the site.
Technique & Style
Schranz Jr. employed meticulous watercolour techniques to capture intricate patterns and textures. The piece aligns with the Romanticism movement, evident in its emphasis on detail and the isolated, somewhat ethereal, presentation of the subject.
History & Provenance
Originally owned by C. Powney, the watercolour was sold in October 1966. Its current location is not specified in the provided information.
Context
Created in 1801, the work reflects European interest in Middle Eastern architecture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It stands as a document of Cairo's funerary architecture from that era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio Schranz painted watercolor city scenes around Cairo in the first half of the 1800s.
Exterior of the Mosque Sultan Hassan, Cairo
Untitled
Elevation of the facade of the Khas Mahal, private apartments, Agra Fort, with the adjoining golden pavilions
Interior of the Tomb Chamber, Taj Mahal, Agra
Tomb of St. Louis on the ruins of Carthage
The Darya Daulat Bagh
Egypt and Nubia, Volume III: Ruined Mosques in the Desert, West of the Citadel
