Tadmor in the Desert (Palmyra)

Tadmor was the original Aramaic name of the important Syrian city now more commonly known by its Greek name, Palmyra. Situated in an oasis on the caravan route between the river Euphrates to the north, and the city of Damascus to the south, Tadmor or Palmyra was known as the 'Bride of the the Desert'. It is mentioned, as Tadmor, in the Bible (2 Chronicles 8 v. 4), where it is recorded as a city that was either built or fortified by Solomon. The city's wealth and importance first developed because of its location on a trade route, but later it became equally wealthy through the activities of its merchants who, during the Roman period, controlled the silk trade from India.

The present drawing was executed by Stanfield from a sketch made on the spot by C.R. Wood. Stanfield was one of a number of well-known artists, including Turner, Callcott, Harding and Roberts, who were employed by the Finden brothers to 'work up' the on site sketches of lesser-known or amateur artists for publication.

We are grateful to Briony Llewellyn for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.