Colossal Statues in the Plain of Thebes, during the Inundation of the Nile

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Colossal Statues in the Plain of Thebes, during the Inundation of the Nile is a watercolor by David RA Roberts, a British Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: David RA Roberts
When & what style?: British Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This watercolour painting shows two colossal statues standing in a flooded plain. The statues are the main focus, with the sun setting behind them. The water reflects the statues and the sky. In the foreground, people and animals are seen in the water, with some vegetation on the right. The background shows a landscape with hills and buildings. The painting's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's techniques, you might want to look up chiaroscuro.

The story of this work

Overview

The image depicts colossal statues in the Plain of Thebes, rendered during the Nile's inundation, based on a lithograph by Louis Haghe from Roberts' *Egypt & Nubia* (1846–49). A possible attribution to Gonsalvo Carelli has been proposed, supported by comparisons to two watercolours sold at Sotheby's in 1973. The work was purchased for ten shillings by an unspecified buyer in Warwick around 1967.

Read the full account in the museum source.