Carl Haag (German, 1820-1915)

In April 1859, Carl Haag enjoyed an extended stay in Jerusalem, to study and capture its most important buildings and sites. It appears the artist’s trip was under the patronage of Queen Victoria because during his stay, the Sultan granted him, at the Queen’s request, permission to be the first Westerner to paint the interior of the Haram-es-Shereef, with the Holy Rock within.
Upon his return to England, Haag not only brought with him a sizeable collection of sketches and drawings, but also a love for the architecture and life-style he had enjoyed in the Orient; his Hampstead studio was entirely decorated in the Moorish style. Carl Haag had created an oasis of Oriental exuberance in the middle of London. His extensive collection of carpets, jugs, weapons and furniture would serve as reminders of his travels, and reappear as props in re-workings of sketches made abroad.