Petra, Jordan

David Roberts

1834

Petra, Jordan by David Roberts, 1834

David Roberts traveled to the Middle East in the 1830s, braving harsh deserts and political tensions to capture the ancient ruins of Petra. This sweeping watercolor shows the famous canyon leading to the Treasury, with travelers in traditional dress exploring the massive rock-cut theater and tombs in the foreground. Roberts' incredibly detailed sketches were later turned into popular lithographs back in London, introducing Victorian audiences to the 'Rose City' long before modern tourism made it a bucket-list destination. His work remains some of the most important early visual records of the region.

Technique
Watercolor
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