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Approach to Mount Sinai 1839: Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph

Creator: David Roberts
Offered by: Timeless Intaglio – Rare Prints, Maps & Books

Description
This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Approach to Mount Sinai Wady Barah Feby 17th 1839" by David Roberts, Plate 122 in Volume III of his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1844. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century.

The print depicts a view of Mount Sinai in the background and a group of men and their camels resting in the foreground. Some of the men have covered their eyes for sleep, others are in conversation, a man on the right is reading a book, and another in the foreground, holding a very long pipe, appears deep in thought. This was Roberts' caravan of local guides bringing him to Mount Sinai on February 17, 1839.

The lithograph is signed in plate in the lower left and it is titled in the lower left, along with the date of Roberts' visit to the site, February 17, 1839. These are reportedly in Roberts' own hand written script, as it appeared on the original sketch.

This striking hand-colored lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 16.75" high and 24" wide. The print is in very excellent condition.

The drawings and watercolours from Roberts' tour of the Holy Land and Egypt were collated together into folios and released over a seven year period by the publisher F.G. Moon from 20 Threadneedle Street London. Louis Haghe (the Belgian engraver and friend of Roberts) worked on all of the lithographs for this series. Lithographers had recently developed the technique of tinted chalk-stone lithography that created a more realistic representation of a watercolor sketch, giving the appearance of wash drawings made with individual brush strokes.

David Roberts (1796-1864) was born outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. At age 10 he became a house painter’s apprentice. He continued painting houses and eventually theater scenes in Edinburgh and then in London. His friend, J. M. W. Turner, recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist.

In 1839 Roberts traveled to Egypt and then in 1840, through the Holy Land, concluding in Jerusalem. Upon his return to England, F. G. Moon agreed to publish lithographs created by Louis Haghe from Robert’s sketches and watercolors. This publication was highly acclaimed and very popular for its esthetic quality, its historical and topographical accuracy, and Robert’s dramatic depiction of his scenes. Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens were among the subscribers who collected his works. Roberts' and Haghe’s duotone lithographs, often colored, remain extremely sought-after today and have been rising steadily in value.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	United States
Period:	18th Century
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	570508

Dimensions

W.	24 in;	H.	16.75 in;
W.	60.96 cm;	H.	42.55 cm;

Message from Seller:

Timeless Intaglio is an online gallery of rare and collectable antiquarian prints, maps and books. Although we specialize in all forms of vintage printed works on paper, the majority were created with the intaglio method of transferring ink from a plate, usually copper, to paper with a technique utilizing pressure generated by a press. Email us directly: rbreiman@timelessintaglio.com