David Roberts, R.A. (1796-1864) was one of the first Europeans to depict the Middle East. Considered a dangerous and barbaric land, it was not until the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt after 1798 that any serious study had been done into the Pharoic culture. Sir Richard Burton's infamous penetration of Mecca did not occur until 1858, twenty years after Roberts painted the wonders of the Moslem world and the Holy Land. The sketchbooks from his journeys were one of the most popular publications of its time, allowing Victorian Europeans a peek into the exotic world from the comfort of their parlors.

This lot includes El-Khasne, Petra; The Arch across the Ravine, Petra; Site of Petra, South; The Theatre, Petra (uncolored); El-Deir, Petra (uncolored); Remains of the Triumphal Arch at Petra (uncolored); The Ravine, Petra; and another example of The Arch across the Ravine, Petra. The first six plates were published by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. Two slightly smaller prints (5.5 x 8") were published by Day & Son. These were produced in the tinted lithograph process and finished by hand with watercolor.

References:

Condition: A

Light foxing in margins.