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The Town and Bay of Beirut

Unknown

1850

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

The Town and Bay of Beirut is a 1850 watercolor by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

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

About this work

This watercolor shows a quiet coastal town nestled between hills and the sea. Whitewashed buildings with flat roofs line the shore, while a few palm trees dot the landscape. In the distance, ships float on calm water, and a rocky hill rises behind the town. A lone horse and rider walk along a dirt path near the water’s edge. The painting uses soft, light colors to show distance and depth. The artist kept details simple, focusing on the peaceful mix of land, water, and daily life. To see more like this, visit the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

The photograph titled *The Town and Bay of Beirut* is attributed to an unknown maker and dated around 1850. Formerly thought to be by F. Arundale, the work is now considered more likely to be by an amateur photographer. A photograph attached to the back of the image suggests a production date in the late 1850s or 1860s.

Read the full account in the museum source.