The Fortress of Alhambra

Location

Country: Spain
City: Madrid
Place: British Embassy

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

Spain, Granada

Subjects

topography, townscape/cityscape, tree, hill, Spanish, man, woman, house, fortress, steps, tiled roof, window, tower

Materials & Techniques

lithograph, colour lithograph

Artist

David Roberts (1796 - 1864)

Title

The Fortress of Alhambra

Date

published 1837

Medium

Colour lithograph

Dimensions

height: 53.50 cm, width: 36.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Baynton-Williams, February 1975

GAC number

11802