Illustrative model — an approximation, not a scan of the original object.
1869
The Bitter Lakes, Suez Canal — William Simpson
- Material
- Watercolour over pencil, heightened with white, on paper stuck down on card
- Dimensions
- H. 26.7 cm, W. 43.6 cm
- Findspot
- Painted at the Bitter Lakes on the Suez Canal route
- Discovery
- Painted by the British artist William Simpson in 1869, when he attended the canal’s opening ceremonies; reproduced in the Illustrated London News in 1870.
- Held by
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Inventory number
- SD.969
A view of the Bitter Lakes from their northern end at the entrance to the canal, painted by an eyewitness of the canal’s opening in November 1869.
Certainty: Established
Simpson attended the canal’s opening ceremonies in November 1869, and his reports and drawings were published in the British press.
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London “William Simpson, The Bitter Lakes, Suez Canal, SD.969” collections.vam.ac.uk