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DAVID ROBERTS, R.A. | Front Elevation of the Great Temple of Aboo-Simbel [Abu Simbel], Nubia
Estimate
70,000 - 100,000 GBP
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Description
- Roberts
- Front Elevation of the Great Temple of Aboo-Simbel [Abu Simbel], Nubia
- inscribed and dated Entrance to the / Great Temple of / EBSAMBEL Nubia Novr 11th 1838 / Front Elevation of the Great Temple of Abissimble. Nubia lower right
- watercolour over pencil, heightened with bodycolour
- 32.4 by 48.5 cm., 12 3/4 by 19 1/8 in.
Provenance
Possibly by descent to Henry Sanford Bicknell (1818-1880), the artist's son-in-law
Possibly sale: Christie's, London, 21 May 1881, lot 123 (different measurements cited)
H. Lancaster
Sale: Christie's, London, 3 July 1962, lot 204
Colnaghi, London (purchased at the above sale)
Sir Bruce Ingram (1877-1963)
His executor's sale: Sotheby's, London, 9 December 1964, lot 336
The Fine Art Society, London (purchased at the above sale)
Purchased from the above by the present owner
Lithographed:
by Louis Haghe for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Egypt and Nubia, London 1849, vol. II, pl. 44 (with the above title) & 1856, vol. V, frontispiece
Possibly sale: Christie's, London, 21 May 1881, lot 123 (different measurements cited)
H. Lancaster
Sale: Christie's, London, 3 July 1962, lot 204
Colnaghi, London (purchased at the above sale)
Sir Bruce Ingram (1877-1963)
His executor's sale: Sotheby's, London, 9 December 1964, lot 336
The Fine Art Society, London (purchased at the above sale)
Purchased from the above by the present owner
Lithographed:
by Louis Haghe for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Egypt and Nubia, London 1849, vol. II, pl. 44 (with the above title) & 1856, vol. V, frontispiece
Exhibited
London, The Fine Art Society, North African Traveller Casablanca to Cairo, 1974, no. 86
Condition
The paper has survived in good condition in this work, having only slightly darkened with time. The watercolour pigments are strong. There is a scratch to the surface of the sheet that runs roughly diagonally from left to right. This is most obvious near the crown of the left hand figure. The sheet is laid down
"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."
"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 reached Abu Simbel on the 8 November 1838. He noted in his journal 'By daybreak I was in the celebrated temple... which has often been described. There are four colossal figures in a sitting posture carved on the face of the rock. This is said to be the oldest of the Egyptian temples. If so, in what a labyrinth does it involve the history of these stupendous edifices! The beauty of the workmanship and colossal dimensions are not surpassed even by those at Thebes' The temple of Rameses II, rediscovered for the West by Jacob Christoph Burckhardt in March 1813, was at the time of Roberts's visit almost completely obscured by sand. It was excavated by Giovanni Belzoni in 1817 but had to be cleared on several occasions during the nineteenth century. In 1964, when the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge the temple, the entire complex was moved to higher ground.
We are very grateful to Briony Llewellyn for her help when cataloguing this lot.
We are very grateful to Briony Llewellyn for her help when cataloguing this lot.