Camel Caravan Crossing Plane Above Waterfall 1742 - 1793

This watercolor painting, "Camel Caravan Crossing Plane Above Waterfall," was made by Dominic Serres in the late 18th century. Serres used watercolor paints and paper to create this small landscape, in a tradition that dates back centuries, and yet the scene depicts more contemporary realities. The careful application of washes and fine brushwork captures a dramatic waterfall in the foreground. But in the distance, you can see the camel caravan, rendered with precise detail despite its small scale. During this period, images like this were often commissioned by those involved in colonial trade and governance. They served as both records and romanticized depictions of distant lands, fueling the European fascination with the exotic. The artistic skill involved in the painting, and the sheer labor implied by the caravan itself, reflects the complex relationship between artistic production, colonial ambition, and the global flow of goods and ideas.