Jerusalem, a view of the city walls with the Gate of Jaffa and the Tower of David

The artist belongs to the first generation of orientalist painters. In 1829, he took part in an expedition to Egypt, headed by the Baron Taylor, in order to organize the shipment to Paris of the Luxor Obelisque. From Egypt, he visited Syria and Palestine in July 1830. He brought back from his journey numerous sketches, which he re-used throughout his career. He also wrote a book on the journey, Quinze Jours au Sinai, with the participation of Alexandre Dumas. In a letter to his brother (at present in the Institut Néérlandais, Paris), he relates the strong impression which the Holy City had made on him : Jerusalem ... la Sainte ..., de hautes murailles crénelées, des tours massives, carrées, à l'aspect imposant et grandiose. At the top of the letter, Dauzats also sketched the same view as in the present picture. The artist probably painted this picture in the years following his return from the Middle East, as G. Plessier noted, pointing out its small scale, its monochromic style and the importance of the sky in the picture. A finished drawing of this scene was engraved in lithograph by Edward Finden.