Artist: David Roberts (Scottish, 1794-1864)
Engraver: Louis Haghe (British, 1806-1885)
Publisher: Rev George Croly (British, 1780-1860)
‘The Letter Writer, Cairo’, Small-Folio, Plate 243
Volume VI, The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia, 1849
Hand-coloured Lithograph
(sight) 13″ high x 9″ wide
(framed) 29 1/2″ high x 23″ wide
Small-Folio, hand-coloured lithograph titled ‘The Letter Writer, Cairo”, the original drawn by Scottish artist David Roberts (1794-1864) Royal Academy, and transposed to lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) and published in The Holy Land, Egypt and Nubia, Volume VI, 1846-9.
Notes: “This has been a favourite subject with painters, and Wilkie made studies in the East of such groups as were thus presented to him. The letter-writer is usually found in the market-place, or in known stations, where those who are unable to write can with his aid communicate their joys and their sorrows to those far distant from them… This business of a letter-writer is not confined to the East. In Italy public scribes are to be found in every city, but more especially in Rome and Naples; travelers in Spain have also noticed them; and, unless very recently become extinct, even in Paris sage-looking old men are instructed with the secret correspondence of those whose education has not extended to the accomplishment of writing.” David Roberts Journal
Small-Folio, hand-coloured lithograph titled ‘The Letter Writer, Cairo”, the original drawn by Scottish artist David Roberts (1794-1864) Royal Academy, and transposed to lithograph by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) and published in The Holy Land, Egypt and Nubia, Volume VI, 1846-9. “In 1853, unsold sets of Roberts’ lithographs were put up at auction, “and the stones from which the prints had been worked were ALL DESTROYED in the Rooms during the progress of the sale” (Abbey, 340-41). Tooley 401. Abbey 385.” (Bauman)
Roberts access to these ancient sites was rare being the first artist to traverse the Near East East and reaction to it was widely praised and celebrated.
Markings: titled in lithograph lower left, ‘The Letter Writer, Cairo”; signed in litho. Lower right, ‘David Roberts. R.A. – L. Haghe Litho.’
Condition: Very Good Vintage Condition – no damage, no restoration; uninspected out of frame. For accuracy there is some extremely light foxing along the margin lower right. The colours are bright and there is no fading.
