Kalaat el Hosn (Castle of the Knights, Syria)

1859

Louis De Clercq

Associated Names
Louis De Clercq

Artist, French, 1836 - 1901

The image captures a view of an ancient stone castle or fortress from a low vantage point. The horizon is positioned in the upper third of the image, showing the roof of the castle walls meeting the night sky. The silhouette of stone blocks and eroded walls is visible along the horizon. The scene exudes an eerie atmosphere with shadows cast by the rugged terrain and stonework, potentially under moonlight. The texture of the image gives it an aged appearance, resembling photographic grain. The color palette is predominantly sepia tones, deep grays, and browns, enhancing the historical and moody feel. The walls and path closest to the viewer display a rough, stone texture that fades into darkness as the scene extends into the distance.

Media Options

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

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    waxed-paper negative

  • Credit Line

    Diana and Mallory Walker Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 22.5 x 29 cm (8 7/8 x 11 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2007.92.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Galerie de Chartres, 25 January 2003); (Galerie Daniel Blau), Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2009

  • In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes Before the Digital Age, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2009 - 2010, unnumbered catalogue.

Inscriptions

on verso, within image, lower center in black ink: 26.

Wikidata ID

Q64157561

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