Temple of the Sun, Baalbec

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

David Roberts, son of a shoemaker from Stockbridge, Edinburgh, began his career at the age of ten as an apprentice to a house painter. On completing his apprenticeship he was employed on the decoration of Scone Palace in Perthshire. He later became a scene painter for James Bannister, who ran a circus in Edinburgh, and at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, before moving to London in 1822, where he turned to easel painting. Roberts exhibited at the British Institution, Society of British Artists and Royal Academy. He is best-known for topographical paintings and illustrations resulting from trips to Spain and the Middle East. He died aged 68 at his home in Fitzroy Street, near Tottenham Court Road, London, and is buried at Norwood Cemetery.

Places

Middle East, Lebanon, Baalbek

Subjects

orientalism, topography, landscape C19th, desert, archaeological site, temple (religious building), ruin

Materials & Techniques

paper (as artists material), watercolour (as artists materials), watercolour (as object name)

Artist

David Roberts (1796 - 1864)

Title

Temple of the Sun, Baalbec

Date

1839

Medium

Watercolour on paper

Dimensions

height: 30.50 cm, width: 53.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi's, December 1960

Inscription

inscribed 'Temple of the Sun at Baalbec' & dated '4[?] May 1839' bl, sbr

Provenance

With P. & D. Colnaghi, London; from whom purchased in December 1960

GAC number

5402