Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

David Roberts
Abu Simbel Temple to Ramesses II in Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts

1849

$4,375
£3,380.45
€3,908.11
CA$6,182.19
A$6,933.74
CHF 3,631.09
MX$84,251.69
NOK 46,108.78
SEK 43,714.37
DKK 29,172.03

About the Item

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, 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. The print depicts a view of the imposing temple of Abu Simbel, dedicated to the famous Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II. Ramesses II, also known as Ramses II and Ozymandius in Greek. He is considered one of the two greatest pharaohs of the New Kingdom of Egypt. He ruled Egypt from 1279 BC to 1213 BC. He was a warrior king, conducting 15 military campaigns during his reign, as well as a great builder. The print is signed and titled in the plate in the lower right, reportedly in Roberts' hand, as in his original drawing. Roberts' lithograph depicts several Egyptians around the monument to provide perspective to its immense size. Statues of Ramsesses' wife, Nefertari, and his daughters are seen adjacent to the sitting pharaoh's lower legs. Large collections of sand obscured portions of the monument at the time of Roberts' visit on November 8, 1838. It was later fully excavated. Abu Simbel was moved block by block 656 feet back from the Nile River in the 1960's by an international team of engineers to save it from being submerged in Lake Nasser which was to be created by the building of the Aswan High Dam. It is considered one of the greatest archeological engineering and construction projects in history. This duotone lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 16.75" high and 23.88" wide. There is faint toning adjacent to the edges of the sheet, as well as a barely perceptible Horizontal crease in the upper margin. A short tear at the edge of upper portion of the left margin has been professionally repaired on the verso and there is an elongated chip at the edge of the left margin and blunting of the lower left corner. All of these issues would be obscured by a mat when framed. The image portion of the print is in excellent 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. This lithograph is from the Royal Subscription Edition (1842-1849) with only 500 copies produced per depiction. Louis Haghe (the Belgian engraver and friend of Roberts) worked on all of the lithographs for this series. Artist: 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 1838 and 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. Robert’s 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:
    1849
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)Width: 23.88 in (60.66 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 53251stDibs: LU1173216055592

More From This Seller

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

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Colossi of Memnon, Thebes, Egypt: A 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Thebes" by David Roberts, from his Egypt 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. The print depicts a view of the imposing pair of sitting...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Great Sphinx & Pyramids, Giza, 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 Sphinx, Pyramids of Gizeh" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, publ...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Approach of the Simoon, Giza, Egypt: Original 19th C. Lithograph by D. Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Approach of the Simoon, Desert of Gizeh" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, ...
Category

1840s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Sphinx & Pyramid, Giza, Egypt: Original 19th C. Lithograph by David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century duotone lithograph entitled "Side View of the Great Sphinx" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published ...
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

You May Also Like

Front Elevation of The Great Temple of Aboo Simbel
By David Roberts
Located in London, GB
Front Elevation of The Great Temple of Aboo Simbel First edition lithograph Full plate: 169 Presented in a acid free mount £2,600 Scroll down for more information. Roberts reached A...
Category

19th Century Victorian Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Night at Abu Simbel - Chromolithograph after Karl Werner - 1881
Located in Roma, IT
Night at Abu Simbel is a modern artwork realized d'apres Karl Werner.  Mixed colored Chromolithograph.  The artwork is after the watercolors realized by the artist during a trip to...
Category

1880s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

THEBES - COLOSSAL STATUES OF AMUNOPH III Many other Roberts lithographs availabl
By David Roberts
Located in London, GB
David Roberts R.A. 1796 - 1864 THEBES - COLOSSAL STATUES OF AMUNOPH III First Edition lithograph Full plate: 137 Presented in a acid free mount Published by F.G. Moon & Son, Londo...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Interior of the Great Temple of Aboo Simbel - Orientalist - David Roberts
By David Roberts
Located in London, GB
David Roberts R.A. 1796 - 1864 Interior of the Great Temple of Aboo Simbel Subscription edition and First edition lithographs available Full plate: 139 Acid free mount With David ...
Category

19th Century Victorian Interior Prints

Materials

Lithograph

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

Kom Ombo - David Roberts - Orientalist
By David Roberts
Located in London, GB
David Roberts 1796 - 1864 Kom Ombo First Edition lithograph Full plate: 210 Presented in an acid free mount
Category

1840s Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph