Suez by David Roberts
Description: "Suez" by David Roberts is an evocative painting that captures the strategic and historically significant location of Suez, at the northern tip of the Red Sea in Egypt. Painted in the mid-19th century during Roberts' travels through the Middle East, this work reflects his fascination with the landscapes and cultures of the region. The composition presents a view of the town of Suez, with its distinctive buildings, mosques, and the vast desert beyond, meeting the calm waters of the Red Sea. The inclusion of local figures, camels, and boats adds a sense of life and movement, illustrating Suez's role as a vital trade and transport hub connecting the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean.
Roberts employs a warm palette of ochres, sandy browns, and blues, effectively capturing the intense light of the Egyptian sun and the stark contrasts of the desert environment. His use of precise brushwork and keen attention to detail brings out the textures of the architecture and the unique features of the arid landscape. "Suez" exemplifies Roberts' Romantic and Orientalist style, combining accurate topographical representation with a poetic appreciation of the exotic and majestic qualities of the region.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Suez, Egypt, mid-19th century.
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Medium: Lithograph originally based on watercolor sketches; later editions in oil.
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Full Artwork Name: Suez.
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Artwork Style: Romanticism, Orientalism.
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Subject/Topic: A landscape view of the town of Suez, capturing its significance as a trade hub and the dramatic interplay of desert and sea in the Egyptian landscape.