Artwork
Approach to Petra, an Ancient Watch Tower Commanding the Valley of El Chor
Approach to Petra, an Ancient Watch Tower Commanding the Valley of El Chor is a print by the Romanticist artist David Roberts. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1927.128
About this work
Overview
Approach to Petra, an Ancient Watch Tower Commanding the Valley of El Chor is a 1839 print by David Roberts, a Scottish artist known for documenting his travels in the Near East.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a desert landscape near Petra, with a watchtower and figures resting by a dry riverbed, emphasizing the site's natural and architectural features.
Technique & Style
Rendered in muted earth tones with touches of red and blue, the work exemplifies the Romanticism style, which often featured grand natural scenes that dwarfed human presence.
History & Provenance
Roberts created the print after extensive travels in the region, which he documented through sketches and later translated into various artworks, earning him election as a Royal Academician in 1841.
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Artist & collection
Artist
David Roberts (24 October 1796 – 25 November 1864) was a Scottish painter. He is especially known for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a prolific series of detailed lithograph prints of Egypt and…
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