5398 Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398A Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398B Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398C Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398 Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398A Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398B Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg
5398C Roberts, Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile.jpeg

Island Philae, Looking Down the Nile: Original 19th C. Lithograph by D. Roberts

$475.00

This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile" 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: 1848

Dimensions: Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)
Width: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)

Medium: Lithograph

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5398

This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Island of Philae, Looking Down the Nile" 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: 1848

Dimensions: Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)
Width: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)

Medium: Lithograph

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5398

This lithograph depicts the sacred Philae temple complex on its original island before its relocation due to the impending flooding due the construction of the Aswan Dam. The scene includes several temples dedicated to the worship of the goddess Isis, including Trajan's Kiosk, surrounded by water.

This duotone lithograph is printed in the upper half of a wove paper sheet with the text description in the lower portion and on the verso. The print is signed in plate in the lower right and titled in the lower left. The sheet has wide margins. The portion of the sheet which includes the image and its margin measures 14.25" high and 16.75" wide. Overall the sheet measures 23.88" high and 16.75" wide. There is minimal discoloration along the upper edge of the sheet, a faint spot in the lower right corner and a faint vertical crease in the left margin. There is beginning separation of a short lower portion of the crease which has been professionally reinforced on the verso. All of this would not be visible behind a mat at framing. The image and text portions of the print are in excellent condition.

The drawings and watercolors 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.