On the Banks of the Nile 1905

Hermann Corrodi painted this scene, "On the Banks of the Nile," with oils on a modestly sized canvas. Corrodi's technique involves layering and blending, working to capture the warm light on the river and the rough texture of the ancient architecture. Oil paint, of course, is a readily transportable, commercially available material that was especially useful to landscape painters who desired to travel. The work itself reflects both artistic skill and the burgeoning tourist trade of the late 19th century. While seemingly a straightforward landscape, consider Corrodi’s role in shaping European perceptions of Egypt, turning it into a picturesque destination. The labor involved, though artistic, also fed into a larger economic system dependent on exoticized views of foreign lands. By considering the materials and the context, we can see how this painting does more than just represent a scene; it actively participates in a network of cultural exchange and economic activity.