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David Roberts

British, 1796-1864

David Roberts 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. Roberts’ friend, J.M.W. Turner, recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist.

In 1839 Roberts 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 Roberts’ sketches and watercolors. This publication was highly acclaimed and very popular for its esthetic quality, its historical and topographical accuracy, and Roberts’ 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.

Find original David Roberts paintings and prints on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$2,179
Materials
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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 David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

Upper Fountain of Siloam. Jerusalem.Tinted lithograph after David Roberts, 1855.
By David Roberts
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Upper Fountain of Siloam', tinted lithograph after David Roberts RA. Signed in stone lower right. Printed title below the image. Roberts travelled t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian David Roberts

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 David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

Petra, The Upper or Eastern Valley: 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 1842. 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 23.5" high and 30.5" 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 Citadel of Cairo. They can be viewed by typing their reference #'s, LU1173211955452 and LU1173211970142, 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 David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

Temple of Hathor, Dendera Egypt: David Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph
By David Roberts
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "View from Under the Portico of the Temple of Dendera" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the lar...
Category

1840s Realist David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

The Fountain of Job. Tinted lithograph after David Roberts, 1855.
By David Roberts
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'The Fountain of Job', tinted lithograph after David Roberts RA. Signed in stone lower right. Printed title below the image. Roberts travelled throug...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

Portico of The Temple of Dendera
By David Roberts
Located in London, GB
Portico of The Temple of Dendera Subscription or First Edition in stock Full plate: 161 Presented in an acid free mount £2,000 Scroll down for more information.
Category

19th Century Victorian David Roberts

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 David Roberts

Materials

Lithograph

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David Roberts Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$1,463Landscape PrintsLithograph1796-1864
2025$2,860More Prints, Interior PrintsLithograph1847
2025$1,080PrintsPaper1847
2024$950PrintsGlass, Wood, Paper19th Century
2024$1,904Interior Prints, More PrintsLithograph1842
2024$863Landscape PrintsLithograph1843
2024$533Landscape PrintsLithograph1843
2024$750Landscape PrintsLithograph1843
2024$8,975More Prints, Landscape PrintsLithograph1849
$2,179
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$533-$8,975
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to David Roberts

David Roberts art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Roberts art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Roberts in lithograph, paint, watercolor and more. Not every interior allows for large David Roberts art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of David Loggan, Federica Galli, and John Webber. David Roberts art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $40,389, while the average work can sell for $2,362.

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