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The Burial of Saul

John Varley

1800

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

The Burial of Saul is a 1800 watercolor by John Varley, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: John Varley
When & what style?: 1800 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a dark, moody landscape with a castle or old buildings in the background. Tall trees block most of the view, their branches thick and tangled. The sky is pale and washed out, while the ground looks wet and shadowy, with a bridge or path leading toward the buildings. The artist used loose, sketchy brushstrokes—almost like a quick sketch—with lots of dark and light patches. It feels unfinished, as if the scene was painted fast or left rough. If you like this style, look up Romanticism next.