Approach of the Simoon, Giza, Egypt: Original 19th C. Lithograph by D. Roberts
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Approach of the Simoon, Desert of Gizeh" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1849. 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.
Creator: David Roberts (1796-1864, British)
Creation Year: 1849
Dimensions: Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
Width: 23.88 in (60.66 cm)
Medium: Lithograph
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 5323
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Approach of the Simoon, Desert of Gizeh" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1849. 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.
Creator: David Roberts (1796-1864, British)
Creation Year: 1849
Dimensions: Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
Width: 23.88 in (60.66 cm)
Medium: Lithograph
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 5323
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Approach of the Simoon, Desert of Gizeh" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1849. 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.
Creator: David Roberts (1796-1864, British)
Creation Year: 1849
Dimensions: Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
Width: 23.88 in (60.66 cm)
Medium: Lithograph
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 5323
This is the most famous and collectible of all of David Roberts' works. The lithograph depicts the sphinx and three pyramids. The scene captures the dramatic moment when a fierce sandstorm, known as a simoon, approaches a caravan traveling through the desert of Giza outside of Cairo in Egypt. The scene is filled with swirling clouds of sand, which partially obscures the sun and the figures of the travelers and their camels. The sky is dark and ominous, with lightning bolts striking the ground in the distance. The figures in the foreground appear to be huddling together for protection, while one man in the center struggles to keep his turban from being blown away. Men on the right attempt to control their tent which is about to blow away in the fierce wind. The print is signed in the plate in the lower left and titled in the lower right, reportedly in Roberts' hand, as in his original drawing.
Roberts' lithograph is particularly striking for its attention to detail and its use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The figures and camels in the foreground are rendered with great precision, while the distant landscape and stormy sky are portrayed with broad, sweeping strokes. Overall, "Approach of the Simoon, Desert of Gizeh" is a powerful and evocative image of the harsh realities of life in the desert, and a testament to David Roberts' skill as an artist. This is the most well known and sought-after of all Roberts prints, as well as the most difficult to find and hence most expensive.
This duotone lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 16.75" high and 23.88" wide. There is faint toning adjacent to the edges of the sheet, as well as a barely perceptible horizontal crease in the upper margin. These issues would be obscured by a mat when framed. The image portion of the print is in 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. This lithograph is from the Royal Subscription Edition (1842-1849) with only 500 copies produced per depiction. 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 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.
