From London Bridge

David Roberts prints bring the temples of Egypt, the rock city of Petra and the streets of Cairo into your home. Roberts was a Scottish painter whose detailed lithographs of Egypt and the Near East made him a leading Orientalist artist of his day. Our collection of fine art prints covers his views of the Nile and its temples, the Holy Land, Spain, Venice, London and Edinburgh.

About David Roberts

David Roberts was born in Edinburgh on 24 October 1796, the eldest son of John and Christian Roberts. He spent seven years as an apprentice to the house painter and decorator Gavin Beugo, studying art in the evenings. In 1816 he began painting scenery for a travelling circus, and by 1819 he was scene painter at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. There he became friends with William Clarkson Stanfield, who encouraged his love of landscape.

In 1822 he moved to London to work as a scene painter, first at the Coburg Theatre (now the Old Vic) and then at Drury Lane, while building a name with views of cathedrals and towns in Normandy and the Low Countries. By 1829 he was painting full-time, and in 1831 he became president of the Society of British Artists. A journey through Spain and Tangiers in 1832–33 produced popular paintings and illustrations.

Encouraged by J. M. W. Turner, he sailed for Egypt on 31 August 1838 and toured Egypt, Nubia, the Sinai, the Holy Land, Jordan and Lebanon, filling sketchbooks as he went. From 1842 to 1849 he worked with the lithographer Louis Haghe on The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, with Queen Victoria as subscriber number one. He became a full Royal Academician in 1841 and was given the freedom of Edinburgh in 1858. He was painting a series of views of London from the Thames when he died suddenly on 25 November 1864.

Style and Subjects

Roberts' years as a scene painter gave him a gift for grand, carefully composed views. He painted architecture in fine detail, from Gothic cathedrals to the colossal columns of Karnak and the carved rock tombs of Petra, often with small figures to show the scale of the monuments.

His lithographs, such as The Great Sphinx, Pyramids of Gizeh and Part of the hall of columns at Karnak, combine precise drawing with soft, warm colour. They appeared just before photographs of these sites became available, which helped make them famous.

Famous Works

• The Porch of St Maclou, Rouen (1829), Tate, London. A Gothic church porch from his Normandy views.
• The Israelites Leaving Egypt (1830), Birmingham Museums Trust. The painting in which his grand style first appeared.
• The Torre del Oro (1833), Museo del Prado, Madrid. The riverside tower at Seville.
• Ruins of the Temple of Bacchus, Baalbec (1840), Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. The great Roman temple in Lebanon.
• The Gateway to the Great Temple at Baalbec (1841), Royal Academy of Arts, London. The temple gateway at Baalbec in Lebanon.
• The Gate of Metawaley (1843), Victoria and Albert Museum, London. A crowded Cairo street at a city gate.
• Edinburgh from the Calton Hill (1858), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. A panorama of his home city.

Decorating with Roberts Prints

Roberts' Egyptian and Holy Land views, like Petra, Jordan or Entrance to the Temple of Isis, Philae, suit a study, library or hallway, and their sandy golds and warm browns work with traditional, colonial and travel-themed interiors.

His Venice and Spanish scenes, such as The Giralda, Seville, bring Mediterranean light to a living room or dining room, and his Edinburgh and London views make thoughtful gifts for anyone with a link to those cities. A group of his lithographs makes a strong gallery wall.

FAQ

Who was David Roberts?

David Roberts (1796–1864) was a Scottish painter, best known for his lithographs and paintings of Egypt and the Near East, which made him a leading Orientalist artist. He became a Royal Academician in 1841.

What are David Roberts' lithographs of Egypt and the Holy Land?

The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a series of detailed lithographs made with Louis Haghe from 1842 to 1849, based on sketches from his tour of 1838–40.

Did David Roberts work in the theatre?

Yes. Before becoming a full-time painter he worked as a scene painter in Edinburgh and London, including at the Coburg Theatre and Drury Lane.

Who encouraged David Roberts to travel to Egypt?

J. M. W. Turner persuaded him to give up scene painting and devote himself to his art, and he sailed for Egypt in 1838.

Related Artists

• Clarkson Stanfield: friend and fellow scene painter
• J. M. W. Turner: encouraged him to paint full-time
• John Linnell: London acquaintance
• John Frederick Lewis: fellow British Orientalist painter