Items Similar to Antique British Oil Painting of the Alhambra by Thompson
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
UnknownAntique British Oil Painting of the Alhambra by Thompson1876
1876
$20,622.61
£15,000
€17,645.70
CA$28,233.39
A$31,630.51
CHF 16,463.65
MX$385,199.09
NOK 209,724.98
SEK 197,501.75
DKK 131,722.89
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
Antique British oil painting of the Alhambra by Thompson
British, 1876
Canvas: Height 45cm, width 35.5cm
Frame: Height 69cm, width 61cm, depth 6cm
This serene Orientalist oil painting by renowned British polymath Sir Henry Thompson (1820–1904) captures two figures taking shelter from the sun within the historic Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Painted in 1876 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1877, the work is a fine example of Thompson’s artistic output— though he is more widely recognised for his pioneering medical career and contributions to healthcare reform in Victorian Britain.
While Sir Henry Thompson earned distinction as a surgeon to royalty and European dignitaries, he also cultivated a parallel career as an accomplished artist. His works were shown at both the Royal Academy in London and the Paris Salon, underscoring his creative skill and cultural curiosity.
This particular painting offers an understated yet evocative view of the Alhambra, markedly different from the more romanticised or commercialised depictions typical of the era. Instead of idealised fantasy, Thompson presents a quiet courtyard scene as it might have appeared in the late 19th century. The architectural detailing—muted in tone, with moss growing between time-worn floor tiles—conveys a gentle, faded grandeur. Two seated figures dressed in Spanish attire enhance the sense of stillness and authenticity.
The interplay of light and shadow is a key feature of the composition. Sunlight cuts diagonally across the scene, creating contrast with the cooler interior shade and guiding the viewer’s gaze towards an arched window in the background. This nuanced handling of light brings a dynamic tension to the otherwise tranquil setting.
Housed in an ornate giltwood frame with foliate decoration, the painting is signed in the lower left with Thompson’s artist’s monogram. An original handwritten label affixed to the reverse reads: ‘In the Alhambra: painted by me in October 1876. Exhibited in the Royal Academy 1877. Henry Thompson’.
A refined example of 19th-century Orientalist painting, this work would be ideal for collectors drawn to architectural subjects and historic travel art.
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2017
27 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAntique Spanish Orientalist Architectural Oil Painting Alcázar of Seville Aceves
Located in London, GB
Antique Spanish Orientalist Architectural Oil Painting Alcázar of Seville Aceves
Spanish, Late 19th Century
Canvas: Height 39cm, width 24cm
Frame: Height 63cm, width 48cm, depth 7cm...
Category
Late 19th Century Interior Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Antique Orientalist Oil Painting of Biskra by Paul Lazerges
Located in London, GB
Antique Orientalist oil painting of Biskra by Paul Lazerges
French, 1894
Canvas: Height 39cm, width 46cm
Frame: Height 65cm, width 73cm, depth 10cm
This oil on canvas by celebrated...
Category
Late 19th Century Landscape Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Antique French Orientalist Oil Painting by Pavy
By Eugène Pavy
Located in London, GB
Antique French Orientalist oil painting by Pavy
French, 1884
Panel: Height 53cm, width 65cm
Frame: Height 74cm, width 84cm, depth 8cm
This striking 19th-century Orientalist paintin...
Category
1880s Victorian Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Pair of Antique Spanish Orientalist Oil Paintings by Montenegro
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique Spanish orientalist oil paintings by Montenegro
Spanish, 1886
Canvas: Height 36cm, width 29.5cm
Frame: Height 56cm, width 49.5cm, depth 9cm
This signed pair of 1886 ...
Category
1880s Victorian Interior Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Large 19th Century American Orientalist Painting by Strain
Located in London, GB
Large 19th century American Orientalist painting by Strain
American, 1883
Canvas: Height 65cm, width 56cm
Frame: Height 92cm, width 82cm, depth 8cm
This impressive Orientalist oil p...
Category
1880s Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Large Antique Orientalist Oil Painting by Jean Baptiste Louis Guy
Located in London, GB
Large antique Orientalist oil painting by Jean Baptiste Louis Guy
French, 1884
Canvas: Height 49cm, width 67cm
Frame: Height 72cm, width 91cm, depth 9cm
Pai...
Category
Late 19th Century Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
You May Also Like
19th Century Orientalist Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Palm Beach, FL
German Orientalist oil on canvas painting of a street scene. Long shadows suggesting start of the day, complete with merchants, travelers, ar...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Moorish Paintings
William Sartain Arab Shops No. 9 Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Toledo, OH
Oil on canvas by American painter William Sartain (1843-1924) titled Arab Shops No. 9. The street scene depicts a vendor sitting on a green mat under an awning on the stone steps in ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Paintings
Materials
Paint
19th Century Spanish Orientalist Framed Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century Spanish Orientalist Framed Oil on Canvas Painting
Measurements with frame: 61.5x72.5x4cm.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Spanish Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood
19th C, Orientalist Architectural Interior of Alcazar of Seville by Tomas Aceves
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tomas Aceves (Spanish, 19th century), circa 1870. Oil On Board in Giltwood Frame. "Alcazar of Seville Interior".
This masterfully executed architectural interior painting, signed b...
Category
Antique 19th Century Spanish Aesthetic Movement Paintings
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Antique Oil on Canvas Orientalist Painting Moorish Spain Gate of The Sun Toledo
Located in Portland, OR
A large & important Orientalist oil on canvas painting, Moorish Spain, by Pollok Sinclair Nesbit (1848-1922) ASRA, "The Gate of the Sun" Toledo, 1872.
A member of The Royal Scottish ...
Category
1870s Realist Interior Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Orientalist Framed Painting of an Arabic City Dated 1884
Located in Marbella, ES
Orientalist Framed Painting of an Arabic City Dated 1884
Measurements with frame: 35.5x43x4cm.
Category
Antique 19th Century European Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood
More Ways To Browse
British Antiques
Thompson Antique
Oil Painting Arches
Arched Canvas Painting
Antique Spanish Oil Painting
Painting Antique Windows
Original Oil Interior Scene
Orientalist Paintings
Oil Painting 1876
Paintings Of Courtyards
Antique Moss
19th Century Orientalist Paintings
Painting Signed Thompson
Late 19th Century Spanish Painting
Oil Painting 1820
Thompson Oil Paintings
Antique Arch Window
Antique Floor Tile