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This lithograph depicts the impressive ancient Egyptian Obelisk of Heliopolis (ancient On), the great sun-temple city of ancient Egypt. It was a significant historical landmark known for its hieroglyphs and association with Pharaoh Ramesses II. It marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple complex, with its twin still standing. It was a tall, four-sided tapering stone shaft with a pyramidal top, typical of ancient Egyptian obelisks that symbolized the sun’s rays and were associated with the sun gods. Hieroglyphic inscriptions cover the surface recording dedications to the sun god and the pharaoh who erected it.
Two groups of Egyptian men stand near the base of the obelisk. The pyramids are seen in the distance on the right and colossal seated statues of pharaohs (probably Ramses II), as well as buildings and palm trees are in the background on the left.
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" 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 on the left, a tiny faint spot in the upper margin and a faint vertical crease in the left margin 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.
