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Algiers

Unknown

1861

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Orientalism Realism Late 19th Century Marine

Dominant colour

Algiers is a 1861 watercolor by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1861 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This watercolor shows a coastal city built into a rocky hillside. The buildings cling to the slope, while the harbor below holds a few ships with tall masts. The water is calm, with soft waves near the shore, and the sky is pale with light clouds. The artist used loose brushstrokes to suggest light and movement, especially on the water. The colors are muted, with earthy tones for the hills and cool blues for the sea. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour drawing titled *Algiers* from 1861 depicts a scene associated with the paddle sloop HMS *Scourge*, which served in the West Coast of Africa before operating in the Mediterranean and returning to Britain in 1861. The work is attributed to an unknown artist, with earlier suggestions pointing to E. A. Goodall, though this remains unverified. The piece is documented within the Searight Archive at the National Maritime Museum.

Read the full account in the museum source.