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`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid'

George de Sausmarez

1855

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Orientalism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

`Quarries of Silsilis - Thebaid' is a 1855 watercolor by George de Sausmarez, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: George de Sausmarez
When & what style?: 1855 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows old, crumbling buildings with peeling walls and broken windows. The paint is thin and faded, like the structures themselves—some walls are missing chunks, revealing the rough stone underneath. A patch of green moss clings to the base, and the sky above is a pale, watery blue with a few faint clouds. The artist focused on decay, using quick brushstrokes to suggest wear and age. The colors are muted, with earthy browns and grays dominating the scene. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

One of 45 watercolours created on 35 mounts, this work is part of an album featuring views from Egypt and Nubia, produced during or after an 1855 journey along the Nile, traveling both upstream and downstream. The album is housed in a half-bound crimson morocco music binder, stamped with "EGYPT" on the front.

Read the full account in the museum source.