Artwork

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2012.161
Credit line: Bequest of John Bonebrake

About this work

Overview

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: General View of Esouan and the Island of Elephantine is a lithographic print from 1848, capturing a serene cityscape of the Esouan region and Elephantine Island.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts daily life in a Middle Eastern setting, with small boats transporting people and goods on a calm river, set against a backdrop of low, sandy buildings, palm trees, and a prominent fortress-like structure.

Technique & Style

Employing lithography, the artist achieves a muted, dusty palette with soft clouded skies. Strategic use of light and shadow imbues the scene with a calm, dreamy ambiance, characteristic of Romantic influences.

History & Provenance

Created by Louis Haghe, a Belgian-born British lithographer and watercolorist, this work is part of a larger series. Haghe was co-founder of Day & Haghe, a leading Victorian-era lithographic firm in London.

Context

The work reflects 19th-century European fascination with exotic, distant lands, aligning with Romanticism's emphasis on nature and the allure of remote locales.