The Arsenal

1855-1856

James Robertson

Associated Names
James Robertson

Artist, British, 1813 - 1888

Felice Beato

Artist, British, born Venice, 1832 - 1909

The image shows a construction site with large stone structures. There are pathways and patches of grass throughout the area. In the background, there is a body of water with a horizontal structure visible. Beyond the water, there are constructed buildings along the horizon. The color palette is muted with sepia and earthy tones, giving the image an aged appearance. The overall impression is one of industrious progress against a calm backdrop.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Michael and Jane Wilson

  • Dimensions

    image: 21.5 × 27 cm (8 7/16 × 10 5/8 in.)
    mount: 32.5 × 40.8 cm (12 13/16 × 16 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.137.4.5

  • Volume Title

    Photographs of the Crimean War

Associated Artworks

See all 27 artworks

[[PLACEHOLDER ARTWORK]]

The image features an elevated view overlooking a vast landscape that extends into the distance. The skyline is marked by the sea with small silhouettes of ships visible. Remnants of stone structures are scattered across a barren terrain, leading to a more densely built-up area with large rectangular buildings. The urban area beyond becomes increasingly dense in the distance. The color palette is primarily sepia-toned.

Panorama of Sebastopol No. 1

James Robertson, Felice Beato

1855

The image shows a landscape with clustered buildings viewed from above. There is a body of water surrounded by landforms and a long structure resembling arches or colonnades. The color palette is dominated by sepia tones. Rocks, paths, and scattered materials are in the foreground, leading to a densely populated area. Low structures fill the mid-ground, leading towards the water and sky.

Distant View of the Arsenal

James Robertson, Felice Beato

1855


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Paul M. Hertzmann, Inc., San Francisco); Michael and Jane Wilson, Wilson Centre for Photography, London, acquired 2001; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on mount, by unknown hand, top center in graphite: < ; bottom center in ink: [Arabic inscription]; on verso, center right in graphite: ROBEN 5

Wikidata ID

Q64155512

You may be interested in

Loading Results