Object Description
Pair of large paintings of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives
Continental, c.1920
Frames: height 129cm, width 206cm, 7cm
Panels: height 110cm, width 188cm
These wonderful paintings – or rather single painting, split across two panels – depict the city of Jerusalem as seen from the Mount of Olives, a popular and recurring viewpoint chosen by many landscape artists for paintings such as this.
Depicted in the bright light of the sun, the clear air and glow of the city is superbly conveyed, with the desert plains and dark, shadow grey blue tones of the Temple on the Mount which sits in the middle across the two panels taking centre stage. A pair of columns flank the painting, giving it an extra trompe l’oeil architectural effect. It is signed, situated and dated, however the painting indicates an early 20th century continental origin, likely after an earlier work, like those of Edward Lear and David Roberts in the mid 19th century.