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Poor Harry when sent to Beyrout... ,

Unknown

1850

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Interior

Dominant colour

Poor Harry when sent to Beyrout... , 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 sketch shows two men in a dim, cluttered room, each standing by a long table covered in what looks like red meat. One man holds a knife, the other a plate. The tables are messy, with drips and shadows. Two small framed pictures hang crookedly on the wall, and a window lets in faint light. The artist scribbled a rhyming note below, mocking "Poor Harry" for complaining about food. The rough lines and loose colors feel quick, like a doodle turned into a joke. If you like this sketchy, funny style, check out Realism next—it’s all about everyday scenes done plainly.

The story of this work

Overview

The watercolor depicts a scene titled "Poor Harry when sent to Beyrout..." created in 1850 by an unknown artist. It is likely produced by the same hand responsible for another work, SD.1347, while a previous attribution to Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) has been reconsidered in the Searight Archive.

Read the full account in the museum source.