The Pool of Bethesda

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David Roberts
The Pool of Bethesda
1842

About the Item

Original hand-colored lithograph by David Roberts (1796 – 1864) published by F.G. Moon, 1842. The Pool of Bethesda is a pool of water in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, on the path of the Beth Zeta Valley. The fifth chapter of the Gospel of John describes such a pool in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. It is associated with healing. Until the 19th century, there was no evidence outside of John’s Gospel for the existence of this pool; therefore, scholars argued that the gospel was written later, probably by someone without first-hand knowledge of the city of Jerusalem, and that the pool had only a metaphorical, rather than historical, significance. In the 19th century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool fitting the description in John’s Gospel. David Roberts, considered one of the great architectural artists of his time, was born at Stockbridge near Edinburgh and at the age of 10, apprenticed to Gavin Buego, a house painter. Following his apprenticeship, Roberts did faux stone work and paneling at Scone Palace and Abercairney Abbey. In 1818, Roberts worked as an assistant scene painter in theatres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Drury Lane Theatre in London. Throughout the 1820s, he exhibited at the Society of British Artists and the Royal Academy. By 1830, Roberts was firmly established as a topographical artist. He then was able to give up his theatre work and travel, touring the continent, Scotland and Spain. In 1839, he departed for Alexandria and spent the remaining part of the year in Cairo, visiting numerous tombs and other sites. The following year he crossed the desert to get to the Holy Land by way of Suez, Mount Sinai, Petra and Gaza. He went on to Jerusalem, spending several months visiting key biblical sites and returned to England at the end of 1839. Roberts' works were published in London as lithographs by Louis Haghe (1806 – 1885), himself a lithographer and watercolor artist, in 41 parts over seven years, 1842 – 1849. This became one of Haghe's most ambitious and successful projects and confirmed Roberts as one England's great architectural and landscape artists. Image size: 14.25 x 19.5 inches Matted in 1 3 inch wide, khaki mat. Size: 20.0 x 26.5 inches

Creator:
David Roberts (1796-1864, British)
Creation Year:
1842
Dimensions:
Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
Medium:
Lithograph
Movement & Style:
Realist
Period:
1840-1849
Condition:
Gallery Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5182339761