The artwork “Galilee, looking towards Hermon” by Elizabeth Thompson (also known as Lady Butler) is a landscape painting that is associated with the Romanticism art movement. It forms part of the series “Letters from the Holy Land,” published in 1906, which depicts various scenes from the region.
In this watercolor painted image, we observe a serene landscape capturing the essence of Galilee with a broad view towards Mount Hermon. The foreground comprises gentle rolling hills with what appears to be a mix of shrubbery and trees, presenting various shades of greens and browns that suggest a natural, untamed terrain. The middle ground is dominated by a calm expanse of water, reflecting the light blue of the sky and adding a peaceful element to the scene. In the background, the soft outlines of mountains can be seen, fading into a hazy intersection with the sky. The overall palette is a blend of earthy tones and subtle blues, with touches of lighter colors that convey a sense of tranquility and vast openness. The brushwork is loose and expressive, which aligns with the Romantic emphasis on emotion and the sublime in nature. This artwork captures the picturesque quality of the Holy Land as seen through the romanticized lens of a 19th-century artist.
