Lot 5
  • 5

DAVID ROBERTS, R.A. | Suez

Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Roberts
  • Suez
  • signed and dated D Roberts. 1840 lower right, inscribed and dated SUEZ. Feby 11th 1839 lower left
  • watercolour over pencil, heightened with bodycolour, scratching out and gum arabic
  • 32 by 48 cm., 12 5/8 by 18 7/8 in.

Provenance

Francis, 1st Earl of Ellesmere (1800-1857)
Dowager Countess of Ellesmere, 1857
The Ellesmere sale: Christie's, London, 2 April 1870, lot 122
Mackay (purchased at the above sale)
Sir John Buchanan-Jardine, 3rd Bt. (1900-1969)
His sale: Sotheby's, London, 12 July 1967, lot 252
Sale: Christie's, London, 3 November 1977, lot 130
Purchased from the above by the present owner
Lithographed:

by Louis Haghe for Egypt and Nubia (vol. III), in The Holy Land, Syria, Indumea, Egypt and Nubia, London 1849, pl. 124 (with the above title) & 1856, vol. III, pl. 124 (as Suez, General View

Condition

The paper has darkened somewhat. Around the extreme edges there are a number of mount lines. There is the occasional foxmark and a larger stain at the upper edge (not visible with current mounting). Overall the work is impressive.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Roberts and his party set off from Cairo on the 7 February and arrived at Suez, which stands at the northern end of the Red Sea, on the 10 February. They stopped there only very briefly, for two days later they had re-mounted their camels and had set out into the Sinai desert bound for Petra and Syria. Despite this, Roberts took the opportunity to draw, and a slight sketch of the town and harbour survives at the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven. (B1977.14.5841) The present work was painted once Roberts had returned to London and it was lithographed by Louis Haghe for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia.



We are very grateful to Briony Llewellyn for her help when cataloguing this lot.