An extremely detailed Hand-colored Lithograph by DAVID ROBERTS (1796-1864) illustrating scenes in the Middle East, from his breathtaking series The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, which was published in London in 1842-1849. Overall this print measures 17 1/2” x 24”. At the turn of the nineteenth century, as the science of archaeology was rising, teams of scholars set out to navigate unknown regions, seeking to understand history through the analysis of ancient ruins and artifacts. In choosing Egypt and the Holy Land as his destinations, Roberts reflected the enduring fascination of Western European culture with the ancient Middle East. Born into humble circumstances in a rural town outside Edinburgh, Roberts set out with little, but he returned with a bounty of sketches and a portfolio he described as "the most interesting that has ever left the country." To pay for his trip, he drained his own finances and undertook the adventure alone--breaking the longstanding British tradition of artists traveling as members of a wealthy patron's entourage. The first British artist to explore the Middle East, Roberts presented his views of the region in the monumental volumes The Holy Land, Syria , Idumea, Arabia , Egypt, and Nubia. Keenly observed and minutely detailed, his images made the region more tangible and accessible than ever before. Yet despite his commitment to accuracy, Roberts lost nothing of romanticism, using light color, and atmosphere to stage a spectacle that convinced as it captivated, evoking an aura of exoticism as part of his realistic view. Published in series during the years 1842 to 1849, these astonishingly beautiful hand-tinted lithographs redefined the Orient for the British public. Standing out as an iconic pieces in any collection, Roberts’ views are significant not only in terms of history but also as the visual expression of how art can bring a distant region within one's own realm. Overall this print is in very good condition with some light foxing and a few creases/small tears. Bookseller Inventory # gr1709d
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