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Temple of Kalabashi, Egypt: David 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 "Portico of the Temple of Kalabashi" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1847. 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 the magnificent ruins of the Temple of Kalabashi (also know as Kalabasha and Temple of Mandulis) in Egypt, along the West Bank of the Nile, south of Aswan. It was originally built around 30 BC, during the reign of Augustus Caesar (also known as Octavian), the first Roman emperor, who is responsible for converting Rome from a republic to an empire. The temple was a tribute to Manduli, a Nubian sun god. In modern times, similar to the project that relocated Abu Simple, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

A group of Egyptian men, dressed in their colorful native garb are seen in conversation to the left of the main portion of the structure. On the far left, two additional men are standing atop an elevated stone slab, somewhat precariously supported by a single column. Fragments of blocks and portions of columns lie in the foreground.

The lithograph is signed in plate in the lower left, along with the lithographer and the title is in the lower right. These are reportedly in Roberts' own hand written script, as it appeared on the original sketch.

This striking hand-colored lithograph print is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 17" high and 23.75" wide. There are small, very faint faint spots in the upper portion of the right margin, but the print is otherwise in very good 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.

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 he 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:	England
Period:	18th Century
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	570510

Dimensions

W.	23.75 in;	H.	17 in;
W.	60.33 cm;	H.	43.18 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