Bidspirit auction | David Roberts - 50 Lithographs

David Roberts - 50 Lithographs from Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia - Included in this lot: The Letter Writer The Nilometer on the Island of Rhoda, Cairo Cairo: The Aqueduct of the Nile from the Island of Rhoda Mosque of Ayed Bey, in the Desert of Suez Minaret of the Principal Mosque in Siout, Upper Egypt Tombs of the Caliphs, Cairo: The Citadel in the Distance Ruins of Erment, Ancient Hermontis, Upper Egypt General View of Kalabshee, formerly Talmis, Nubia Scene on the Nile Near Wady Dabod, with Crocodiles Temple of Wady Dabod, Nubia Obelisk of On The Ghawazees, or Dancing Girls of Cairo Temple of Wady Kardassy, Nubia Temple of Isis on the Roof of the Great Temple of Dendera Tombs of the Mamelukes, Cairo Ruins of Maharraka, Nubia Temple of Dakke, in Nubia Ruins of Luxor from the South-West Statues of Memnon in the Plain of Goorna at Thebes Temple of Tafa in Nubia Pompey's Temple Statues of Memnon in the Plain of Goorna at Thebes The Gate of the Metwalis, or Bab Zuweylah, Cairo Ruined Mosques in the Desert West of the Citadel One of the Tombs of the Caliphs, Cairo Temple of Wady Kardassy, Nubia Ruins of Maharraka, Nubia Temple of Dakke, in Nubia Ruins of the Temple of Medamout, near Thebes An Egyptian Temple on Gebel Garabe Scene on the Quay of Suez Entrance to the Tomb of the Kings Temple of Tafa in Nubia Fortress of Ibrim, Nubia Temple of Wady Saboua, Nubia Nubian Women at Korti Siout Gateway at Dendera Approach to the Temple of Wady Saboua, Nubia Temple of Wady Kardassy, Nubia Ruins of Maharraka, Nubia Cleopatra's Needle Temple of Dakke, in Nubia Ruins of Luxor from the South-West The Sanctuary of the Great Temple of Aboo-Simbel, Nubia Mount Hor, from the Cliffs Encircling Petra Fortress of Akabah, Arabia Petraea The Necropolis Excavation at the Eastern End of the Valley Description of the work: David Roberts' most famous work, Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia , was published by E. G. Moon in London between 1846 and 1849. This work is known for its extremely detailed duotone lithographed plates which depict various scenes of the Holy Land and the Middle East. Roberts journeyed to the Holy Land in 1838 where he spent much time depicting the architecture, costumes, and landscapes that he found there. The culmination of all his efforts, Views in the Holy Land... , is indeed one of the greatest travel works ever completed. George Croly wrote the wonderfully descriptive text, when available, and Louis Haghe turned Roberts' drawings into the magnificent lithographs seen here. David Roberts truly introduced the western world to Egypt and the Middle East through this work. The lithographs were produced from his on-site drawings of temples, landscapes, and historic monuments. He was the first Westerner granted permission to enter many of the sacred mosques or monuments. He completed his sketches over an 11 month journey between 1838 and 1839. “Roberts’ Holy Land has a worldwide reputation; nothing of a similar character has ever been produced that can bear a comparison with it” (Ran, 6) ... “These prints are of excellence unsurpassed in Europe… The firm of Day and Haghe raised lithography to perhaps the highest point it ever attained… [In Roberts’ own words, ] ‘Haghe has not only surpassed himself, but all that has hitherto been done of a similar nature. He has rendered the views in a style clear, simple, and unlabored, with a masterly vigor and boldness which none but a painter like him could have transferred to stone” (Abbey, 340-41). Paper Size: ~ 16 3/4” by 23 1/2”; Image Size Varies Paper Type or Special Features: Duotone Lithograph