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| A View in Cairo David Roberts, 1840 Oil on Canvas The Royal Collection |
Roberts was known for creating works of tremendous depth and realism. As a painter, he employed the same mind-set that he would have applied to creating a theatrical set. Most of his works depict a scene with natural lighting and a central vanishing point.
Victoria collected several paintings by Roberts. A View in Cairo is an excellent representation of his work. We can see how this painting could have translated into a theatrical set. With the tall, flanking buildings (acting like the wings of a proscenium stage), the vivid lighting and the dramatic sense of depth, this painting gives the illusion that one could walk right into it.
1 comment:
From the 1830s onwards there was a great deal of interest in (what is now) the Middle East. This picture seems to be an example.
The interest in Egypt (in particular) spread from France. Napoleon's expedition to Egypt (1798-9) took with it a large number of scientists and artists. They painted, drew, measured and documented everything they saw - particularly the antiquities. Their work introduced Egypt (and Egyptian antiquities) to Europe.
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