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Alexandretta (Gulf of Iskanderoon)

Antonio or Anton Schranz

1837

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Alexandretta (Gulf of Iskanderoon) is a 1837 watercolor by Antonio or Anton Schranz, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Antonio or Anton Schranz
When & what style?: 1837 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a quiet beach scene with soft, pale colors. In the foreground, four people sit on the sand, wrapped in cloaks, while another person walks nearby. Behind them, a few small buildings line the shore, and ships are anchored in the calm water. The mountains in the distance fade into a light blue haze. The artist used thin, delicate strokes to create the hazy sky and distant hills, making the scene feel peaceful. The watercolor style keeps everything gentle and dreamy. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this painting in person.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour drawing by Antonio or Anton Schranz Jr depicts a coastal scene at Alexandretta (modern-day Iskanderoon), featuring mountains in the background, boats sailing on the gulf, and figures on the beach in the foreground. Created between December 1836 and September 1837, the work likely stems from a journey the artist undertook with an unidentified patron, as suggested by customs records indicating his travel from Malta to Turkey in April 1836 and his return in December 1839. Similar drawings from this trip are held in the Benaki Museum in Athens and a private collection in Malta. The…

Read the full account in the museum source.