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View of the Bosphorus from above Dolmabahçe, looking towards the Sea of Marmara

William Purser

1825

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century Cityscape

Dominant colour

View of the Bosphorus from above Dolmabahçe, looking towards the Sea of Marmara is a 1825 watercolor by William Purser, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: William Purser
When & what style?: 1825 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This watercolor shows a wide view of a river and a distant city. In the foreground, a few people stand or sit on a grassy hill. One man wears a long blue coat and talks to a woman in a white headscarf. Two kids stand nearby. Over by some rocks, another man sits with a dog. A group of riders on horses is off to the right. The painting focuses on a quiet moment by the water, with soft colors and gentle hills. The artist used light washes to show distance and depth. Look up Romanticism to see how artists used nature and emotion in their work.

The story of this work

Overview

This watercolour drawing by William Purser depicts a view of the Bosphorus from above Dolmabahçe, looking toward the Sea of Marmara. The scene captures the reclaimed coastal area of Dolmabahçe, which once featured royal kiosks and pavilions before the construction of the Dolmabahçe Palace in 1853. The artwork was purchased from H. Sotheran in London for £10.

Read the full account in the museum source.