Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

David Roberts
Temple of Kalabshi, Egypt: David Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph

1847

$3,575
£2,745.45
€3,146.25
CA$5,032.72
A$5,637.76
CHF 2,937.78
MX$68,768.98
NOK 37,332.50
SEK 35,201.89
DKK 23,482.73

About the Item

This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Portico of the Temple of Kalabshi" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1847. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century. The print depicts a view of the magnificent ruins of the Temple of Kalabshi (also know as Kalabasha and Temple of Mandulis) in Egypt, along the West Bank of the Nile, south of Aswan. It was originally built around 30 BC, during the reign of Augustus Caesar (also known as Octavian), the first Roman emperor, who is responsible for converting Rome from a republic to an empire. The temple was a tribute to Manduli, a Nubian sun god. In modern times, similar to the project that relocated Abu Simple, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. A group of Egyptian men, dressed in their colorful native garb are seen in conversation to the left of the main portion of the structure. On the far left, two additional men are standing atop an elevated stone slab, somewhat precariously supported by a single column. Fragments of blocks and portions of columns lie in the foreground. The lithograph is signed in plate in the lower left, along with the lithographer and the title is in the lower right. These are reportedly in Roberts' own hand written script, as it appeared on the original sketch. This striking hand-colored lithograph print is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 17" high and 23.75" wide. There are small, very faint faint spots in the upper portion of the right margin, but the print is otherwise in very good condition.   The drawings and watercolours from Roberts' tour of the Holy Land and Egypt were collated together into folios and released over a seven year period by the publisher F.G. Moon from 20 Threadneedle Street London. Louis Haghe (the Belgian engraver and friend of Roberts) worked on all of the lithographs for this series. David Roberts (1796-1864) was born outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. At age 10 he became a house painter’s apprentice. He continued painting houses and eventually theater scenes in Edinburgh and then in London. His friend, J. M. W. Turner, recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist. In 1839 he traveled to Egypt and then in 1840, through the Holy Land, concluding in Jerusalem. Upon his return to England, F. G. Moon agreed to publish lithographs created by Louis Haghe from Robert’s sketches and watercolors. This publication was highly acclaimed and very popular for its esthetic quality, its historical and topographical accuracy, and Robert’s dramatic depiction of his scenes. Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens were among the subscribers who collected his works. Roberts' and Haghe’s duotone lithographs, often colored, remain extremely sought-after today and have been rising steadily in value.
  • Creator:
    David Roberts (1796-1864, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1847
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 39331stDibs: LU1173210314272

More From This Seller

View All
Ruins of the Temple of Kom Ombo, Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Ruins of Kom Ombo" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Dendera, Egypt, Dec 7th, 1838: David Roberts' 19th C. Duotone Lithograph
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Dendera, Dec 7th, 1838" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in...
Category

1840s Realist Interior Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Great Hall at Karnak, Luxor, Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Great Hall at Karnac, Thebes" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the larg...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Entrance to the Citadel of Cairo, Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "The Entrance to the Citadel of Cairo" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, pub...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Abu Simbel Temple to Ramesses II in Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "The Great Temple of Aboo Simble, Nubia" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, p...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Citadel of Cairo: 19th C. Hand-colored Roberts Lithograph
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Petra, Shewing the Upper or Eastern End of the Valley" by David Roberts, from his Egypt, The Holy Land and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1849. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century. This is one of Roberts' most famous and collectible works. The scene captures a view of the magnificent ruins of Petra in what is Jordan today, as it appeared on March 8, 1839, on the day of Roberts' visit. Multiple Arab men are approaching Petra; some on foot and others riding camels. They are dressed in their colorful local costumes. Roberts' signature and hand written date are reproduced in the plate on the left. This hand-colored lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. There is some loss of color in the text in the title and a faint dark curvilinear area in the upper right. The print is otherwise in very good condition. It is presented in a gold-colored wood frame with a tan mat. It is glazed with UV protected conservation glass. All framing materials used are archival museum quality. The frame measures 23.63" high and 29" wide. There are two additional iconic David Roberts hand-colored lithographs for sale on 1stdibs that are matted and framed in identical styles, although slightly different sizes. They are scenes of Approach of Simoon, Desert of Gizeh and the Petra. They can be viewed by typing their reference #'s, LU1173211955452 and LU1173211969422, into the 1stdibs search field or typing Timeless Intaglio in the search field and tapping on the drop down name to be taken to our storefront. Two or all three of these pieces would make for a striking display grouping. A discount is available for the purchase of multiple pieces. David Roberts (1796-1864) was a Scottish painter who specialized in landscapes, architectural subjects, and scenes from the Middle East and Europe. Born in Edinburgh, Roberts began his career at age ten as an apprentice to a house painter and eventually became a scene painter for theater companies in Edinburgh and London. In the 1820s, J. M. W. Turner recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist. He began to focus on painting landscapes and architecture. In 1838 he traveled to Egypt and soon after to the Holy Land, concluding in Jerusalem. Roberts' travels in the Middle East had a profound impact on his art, and he produced a series of highly detailed and realistic paintings and sketches of the region's famous ruins and other landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Temple of Abu Simbel...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

You May Also Like

Medinet Abou, Thebes lithograph from Views of the Holy Land by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Paonia, CO
Medinet Abou, Thebes is a hand colored lithograph from the standard edition of ” Views in the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia” a...
Category

1840s Other Art Style Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Entrance to the Temple of Amun, Egypt. David Roberts Oriental lithograph, 1841.
By David Roberts
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Entrance to the Temple of Amun, Thebes', tinted lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) after David Roberts RA. David Roberts (1796-1864) traveled throughout Egypt and the Holy Land ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Temple - Chromolithograph after Karl Werner - 1881
Located in Roma, IT
The Temple is a modern artwork realized d'apres Karl Werner  Mixed colored cromolithograph.  The artwork is after the watercolors realized by the artist during a trip to Egypt betw...
Category

1880s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Egyptian Temple - Chromolithograph by A. Alessio - Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Egyptian Temple is a print on ivory-colored paper realized by A. Alessio in the early 20th Century. Signed on the plate on the lower. . Vintage Chromolit...
Category

Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Medinet Abou, Thebes, Egypt. David Roberts Oriental lithograph, 1847.
By David Roberts
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Medinet Abou, Thebes', tinted lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) after David Roberts RA. David Roberts (1796-1864) traveled throughout Egypt and the Holy Land in the late 1830s ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Ancient Egyptian Ruins - Chromolithograph after Karl Werner - 1881
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Egyptian ruins is a modern artwork realized d'apres Karl Werner. Mixed colored cromolithograph.  The artwork is after the watercolors realized by the artist during a trip t...
Category

1880s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph