This lithograph depicts the prominent Temple of Kalabshee on the bank of the Nile in Southern Egypt (Nubia) with humble mud dwellings built directly around and even on top of the ancient temple ruins. The original location depicted by Roberts no longer exists; it was submerged by Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temple itself was dismantled and moved to its current location at New Kalabsha between 1961 and 1963.
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 14.5" high and 16.75" wide. Overall the sheet measures 23.88" high and 16.75" wide. There is minimal discoloration along the upper, lower and right edges of the sheet, a large spot in the lower margin on the left and a small one in the lower margin and a faint vertical crease in the left margin. 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.