Entrance to the Tombs of the Kings, Jerusalem

London: F.G. Moon, 1849. Very good condition. Hand colored lithograph from the deluxe edition of Robert's 'The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia', the greatest lithographically illustrated work of the 19th century. This hand tinted lithograph was produced by Louis Haghe, the finest lithographic draughtsman of his time, and probably colored by him in a very small edition.

David Roberts (1796 - 1864) was a Scottish painter who traveled to Egypt in 1838 on the recommendation of his friend and colleague, J. M. W. Turner. He went up the Nile River through Egypt and the Holy Land, and arrived in Jerusalem in 1839. Roberts left from Beirut in May of 1839, having traveled through Lebanon.

Roberts recorded his impressions of landscapes, temples, and people in a series of sketchbooks and watercolors, and, working with Haghe as lithographer produced these lavish plates. The 'Holy Land', issued over a period of 7 years from 1842 to 1849, was funded through advance subscriptions, Queen Victoria being the first subscriber.

The image depicts the entry way to the tombs cut into an enormous rock wall, with a small group of Egyptians in the foreground. The tombs of the kings are rock cut tombs in East Jerusalem near the Old City walls, believed to be the burial site of Queen Helene of Adiabene.

Cut to the edge of the image and mounted on card in imitation of watercolors, as issued. Image, 13 3/4 x 9 1/2"; card measures 21 x 17". Card slightly chipped at corners.

A stunning image, among the most popular of famous sites in the Near East.