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5411 Roberts, Ruined Mosques of the Desert West of the Citadel.jpeg
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Mosques in the Desert West of Citadel: Original 19th C. Lithograph by D. Roberts

$575.00

This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Ruined Mosques of the Desert West of the Citadel" 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: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
Width: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)

Medium: Lithograph

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5411

This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Ruined Mosques of the Desert West of the Citadel" 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: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
Width: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)

Medium: Lithograph

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5411

This lithograph depicts multiple minarets and domes comprising the Northern Cemetery (or City of the Dead) in Cairo, which contains the tombs and funerary complexes of Mamluk sultans and emirs. These structures were in various states of disrepair when Roberts visited and sketched them during his travels in the region in 1838–1839. Today, the Northern Cemetery is a major historical and archaeological site in Cairo,

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 sheet has wide margins. The portion of the sheet which includes the image and its margin measures 17.25" high and 16.75" wide. Overall the sheet measures 23.88" high and 16.75" wide. There is minimal toning along the upper, lower and right edges of the sheet, a faint spot in the left margin adjacent to the image and a faint vertical crease in the left margin. All of this would not be visible behind a mat at framing, except the faint spot. 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.