Original hand-colored lithograph by David Roberts (1796 – 1864) titled "The Ravine - Petra, 1834", published by F.G. Moon, 1842, shows the ravine and rocky, sandstone landscape leading to Petra, the site of the historical archaeological city in southern Jordan, established in 312 BC.. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. It became a major commercial hub due to its proximity to regional trade routes.Petra is a honeycomb of caves, temples, and tombs carved from its pink sandstone in the high desert of Jordan dating from circa 2,000 years ago. Little is known about theNabateans—a nomadic desert people whose kingdom rose from its cliffs and peaks, and whose incredible wealth grew from the lucrative incense trade. Raqmu, or Petra (as the Greeks knew it), grew into the Nabateans’ most prominent city, linking camel caravans between the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas, from Egypt to Syria and beyond to Greece. Control of water sources and the defense were protected by the cleft rocks ensured the Nabateans remained unconquered for centuries.The Romans arrived in 63 B.C., signaling a era of massive expansion and grandiose construction, like the theater that sat more than 6,000 spectators, as well as some of the facades. Much of the Petra’s most impressive architecture became the subject of David Robert’s series extr lithographs.The entire city of Petra’s ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue, and ocher, while vivid mosaics still pave the floors of a Byzantine-era church.Christianity came to Petra in the third and fourth centuries and flourished, but the city waned after an A.D. 336 earthquake and under the early Islamic dynasties of the seventh century.Petra was only rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt in 1812. Even now, archaeologists have explored less than half of the sprawling site, and in 2016, with the help of satellite imagery, a monumental structure was found still buried in the sand. It’s no wonder that Petra remains Jordan’s top tourist attraction and one of the most revered of the World Heritage sites.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 3 inch-wide, acid-free ivory mat. Provenance: Phyllis Lucas Gallery, NYC. [Image size: Height: 21.25 in (53.98 cm); Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm). Sheet size: Height: 24 in; Width: 17.5 in]. The entire image is in good, spotless condition. A water stain and a repaired tear in outside margin underneath the mat does not affect the image.

The entire image is in good, spotless condition. A water stain and a repaired tear in outside margin underneath the mat does not affect the image.