"Ruins of Maharraka, Nubia", Roberts, David

David Roberts, R.A. (1796-1864) was one of the first Europeans to depict the Middle East. Considered a dangerous and barbaric land, it was not until the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt after 1798 that any serious study had been done into the Pharoic culture. Sir Richard Burton's infamous penetration of Mecca did not occur until 1858, twenty years after Roberts painted the wonders of the Moslem world and the Holy Land. The sketchbooks from Roberts' journeys were one of the most popular publications of its time, allowing Victorian Europeans a peek into the exotic world from the comfort of their parlors.

This attractive lithograph depicts the temple of Al-Maharraqa, which was originally located in Lower Nubia along the southern border of the Roman Empire. In the 1960s is was dismantled due to flooding issues and rebuilt at the New Wadi es-Sebua site. Produced in the tinted lithograph process and finished by hand with watercolor. Published by F.G. Moon in London, with the full sheet measuring 16.4 x 24.0". English text below and on verso.

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Condition: B+

A sturdy sheet with faint staining and a few spots of foxing at bottom right.