David Roberts
(1796–1864)
The Temple of Horus at Edfu
Signed at lower right, in pen and black ink, David Roberts R. A.; inscribed at lower left, in pencil, Edfou Novr 23d 1838
Watercolor, pen and black ink and pencil, heightened with white, on light brown wove paper
12 11/16 x 18 15/16 in. (323 x 482 mm)
Purchased on the Fellows Fund
1977.26
Item description:
This drawing is a study for the lithograph Portico of the Temple of Edfou, Upper Egypt, that appeared in Roberts's and Brockedon's Egypt and Nubia of 1846. Roberts, who was at Edfu in 1838, made at least five drawings there. In his journal he described the scene: "Though half buried it is more beautiful than if laid open and reminds me of Piranesi's Etchings of the Forum of Rome."