Artwork
River Winding through a Rock Formation (Philae, Egypt)
River Winding through a Rock Formation (Philae, Egypt) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edward Lear. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
River Winding through a Rock Formation (Philae, Egypt) is a 1884 gray wash drawing on card by Edward Lear, capturing a natural landscape observed during his travels.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a serene river navigating through steep, jagged rock formations at Philae, Egypt, with a small boat, conveying Lear's observational approach to documenting real-world landscapes.
Technique & Style
Lear employed loose, sketchy lines with gray wash to achieve a realistic texture of the rocky cliffs, emphasizing naturalism over idealization.
History & Provenance
Created in 1884, this work is part of Lear's travel-inspired drawings, often later refined for inclusion in his travel books.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, who is known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry and prose and especially his limericks, a form he popularised but which term…
