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Landscape with a building, probably a tomb, in the distance

Unknown

1850

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

Landscape with a building, probably a tomb, in the distance is a 1850 watercolor by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1850 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a quiet, hazy landscape with a winding river cutting through dry, rocky ground. In the distance, there’s a small building that looks like a tomb, surrounded by flat hills and a few scattered trees. The sky is pale, almost washed out, and the colors are soft—mostly light blues, yellows, and earthy browns. The artist used loose brushstrokes and faint colors to create a dreamy, distant feel, almost like looking through mist. The river and hills blend together, making the scene feel calm and still. If you like this style, check out Impressionism for more paintings that focus on light and atmosphere.

The story of this work

Overview

The work depicts a distant structure, likely a tomb, set within a broad landscape scene. Created around 1850, the painting has been tentatively linked to F. C. Cooper, though its exact attribution remains uncertain. A possible identification of the location has been suggested through comparison with an illustration in A. H. Layard’s 1853 publication *Nineveh and Babylon*.

Read the full account in the museum source.