Original hand-colored lithograph by David Roberts (1796 – 1864) published by F.G. Moon, 1845. The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt, It was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic period. Construction of the temple began in 237 BC and was completed in 57 BC. Edfu is one of the finest examples of temple architecture in ancient Egypt.David Roberts, considered one of the great architectural artists of his time, was born at Stockbridge near Edinburgh 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. In 1818, Roberts worked as an assistant scene painter in theatres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Drury Lane Theatre in London. Throughout the 1820s, he exhibited at the Society of British Artists and the Royal Academy. By 1830, Roberts was firmly established as a topographical artist. He then was able to give up his theatre work and travel, touring the continent, Scotland and Spain. In 1839, he departed for Alexandria and spent the remaining part of the year in Cairo, visiting numerous tombs and other sites. The following year he crossed the desert to get to the Holy Land by way of Suez, Mount Sinai, Petra and Gaza. He went on to Jerusalem, spending several months visiting key biblical sites and returned to England at the end of 1839. Roberts' works were published in London as lithographs by Louis Haghe (1806 – 1885), himself a lithographer and watercolor artist, in 41 parts over seven years, 1842 – 1849. This became one of Haghe's most ambitious and successful projects and confirmed Roberts as one England's great architectural and landscape artists. Matted in a 3 -inch wide acid-free, 4-ply ivory mat. Provenance: Phyllis Lucas Gallery, NYC. [Image size: Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm). Overall size: Height: 20.0 in; Width: 26.5 in]. In good condition.

In good condition.