Art prints of paintings
David Roberts

This collection brings together reproductions of David Roberts (1796–1864), the Scottish painter and draughtsman known for his architectural views. Temples in Egypt and Nubia, mosques in Cairo, Petra, sites in the Holy Land, Spanish monuments and European cathedrals create a visual journey through the nineteenth century.

From Stage Design to Architectural Painting

Born in Edinburgh, Roberts began as a house painter before working for several years in the theatre in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. This experience in stage design partly explains his ability to suggest vast spaces, arrange figures within architectural settings and create dramatic lighting effects.

From the 1820s onwards, he exhibited and travelled regularly. His buildings are not simple inventories: framing, depth, the contrast between light and shadow and the presence of small figures give each place a theatrical dimension.

Travels, Drawings and Lithographs

Roberts travelled through Spain in 1832–1833, then journeyed to Egypt, Nubia and the Near East in 1838–1839. He brought back drawings and watercolours that later served as the basis for paintings and an extensive illustrated publication. Louis Haghe translated his compositions into lithographs for the six volumes of The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia, published between 1842 and 1849.

The circulation of these prints greatly contributed to his international renown. Several images in the collection reproduce this characteristic balance between architectural record, landscape, atmospheric effects and narrative.

Karnak, Luxor and the Temples of the Nile

The ancient architecture of Upper Egypt offered Roberts rows of columns, pylons and monumental statues. The Hypostyle Hall of the Great Temple of Amun at Karnak places the viewer among the columns. The Great Temple of Abu Simbel emphasises the scale of the sculpted figures, while The Entrance to the Temple of Isis at Philae combines architecture with a carefully directed viewpoint.

The views of Giza adopt different distances. Pyramids of Giza suits a selection focused on the desert, geometric silhouettes and bright horizons.

Cairo: Gates, Mosques and Streets

In Cairo, Roberts was interested in minarets, courtyards, gates, bazaars and funerary monuments. Mosque of Sultan Hassan in Cairo highlights the building’s mass and its place within the city. Gate of the Metwaleys, Bab Zuwayla structures the scene around a lively urban axis.

These images helped shape the vision of Egypt held by the Victorian British public. They should be viewed as works rooted in their time: Roberts selected, composed and dramatised these places according to the picturesque and Orientalist expectations of his era. The figures are not merely indications of scale; they participate in a cultural representation produced by a European traveller.

Petra, Baalbek and the Holy Land

The journey continues towards the great archaeological and religious sites of the Levant. Ruins of the Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek combines ancient remains with landscape. Petra, Jordan emphasises the meeting of rock face and carved façade, while Bethlehem towards the Dead Sea opens the composition onto a a wider territory.

Spain, Scotland and European Architecture

Roberts’s work is not limited to Egypt and the Middle East. In Spain, The Mosque of Córdoba and The Alcázar of Segovia reveal his interest in interiors, fortifications and successive architectural traditions.

His European travels and commissions also produced urban and religious views. St Mark’s Square from the Canal, Edinburgh from Calton Hill and West Front of Rouen Cathedral make it possible to compare three ways of placing a monument within its surroundings.

Choosing a David Roberts Reproduction

Temple and mosque interiors emphasise depth and suit vertical compositions. Panoramas of the Nile, Giza or Bethlehem are better suited to horizontal formats. To create a series, group works by region, architectural type or colour palette.

For the poster option, the print is produced on 140 g paper with HD rendering at 150 DPI. Dimensions, canvas and framing options vary according to the artwork, format and destination. The product page displays only the available variants.

Explore Related Collections

Continue with Egyptian paintings, Spanish views, Scottish landscapes, Venetian paintings or architecture posters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did David Roberts visit the places he depicted?

He travelled to Spain in 1832–1833, then to Egypt, Nubia and the Middle East in 1838–1839. Some compositions were subsequently developed from his drawings and watercolours.

Who created the lithographs based on his compositions?

Louis Haghe translated his images into lithographs for a six-volume publication issued between 1842 and 1849.

How can I find out which formats are available?

Open the artwork page, then choose the medium and dimensions. Options depend on the product and destination.