EL Deir - Petra - Jordan - David Roberts Original Lithograph 1841

This lithograph is by the 19th Century British artist David Roberts. It shows El Deir ("The Monastery") in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. Carved out of rock El Deir is the second most visited architectural site in Petra. Built in the 1st century it measures 50 cm wide by 45 cm high. David Roberts was one of England's greatest architectural and landscape artists. He was sent by Queen Victoria to the Middle East to document the great architectural sites and monuments of the region. Robert's magnificent watercolors done during his travels were published in London as lithographs by Louis Haghe in 41 parts over seven years (1842-1849). According to Roberts, Haghe had not only surpassed himself, but all that had hitherto been done of a similar nature. David Roberts was born at Stockbridge near Edinburgh in 1796 and at the age of 10 apprenticed to Gavin Buego, a house painter. Following his apprenticeship, Roberts did faux stone-work and paneling at Scone Palace and Abercairney Abbey.