Petra

Details

David Roberts, R.A. (1796-1864)
Petra
signed 'David Roberts. R.A.' (lower right) and inscribed and dated 'PETRA. March. 7th 1839' (lower left)
pencil and watercolour, heightened with white, unframed
9 x 13 in. (22.9 x 33 cm.)

Engraved

L. Haghe, lithograph, the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia, from drawings taken on the spot by David Roberts, R.A., 1846, vol. III, pl. 103, as 'Excavated Mansions of Petra'.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Roberts toured the Holy Land for eleven months during 1838 and 1839. He arrived in Petra on 6 March 1839, and by the next day he was writing in his journal 'I am more and more astonished and bewildered with this extraordinary city...the valley has been filled with temples, public buildings, triumphal arches... and the air is perfumed with the most delicious fragrance.'

In the present watercolour, which shows the Eastern end of the Valley, Roberts captures the scale of the mountains that rise above the valley, and the intricacy of the columns and archways carved into the sheer cliff faces.

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