As the first professional artist from Britain to travel to the middle east and north Africa, Roberts’s journey to the region in the spring of 1839 was as ground-breaking and it was intrepid. The body of work that he created on and soon after these epic travels not only caused a sensation amongst his contemporaries but is still recognised today as one of the great artistic achievements of the entire 19^th century.  

Sotheby’s is thrilled to present for sale an extraordinary collection of thirty-five watercolours by Roberts whose subjects include many of the most iconic landscapes, cities and ancient monuments that he had the privilege to visit. Assembled over a period of more than a quarter of a century by a most passionate and discerning collector, the collection is considered the greatest of its type in private hands. 

Illustrated above:

David Roberts, R.A., Hebron

Calendar image:

David Roberts, R.A., Arab of the tribe of the Benisaid

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

Bids.london@sothebys.com

(+44) 207 293 5283 (bids general line)

For sale enquiries please contact:

Mark Girffith-Jones

Director, Specialist | British Watercolours & Drawings

+44 20 7293 5083

MARK.GRIFFITH-JONES@SOTHEBYS.COM

Claude Piening

Senior Director, Senior International Specialist | 19th Century European Paintings

+44 20 7293 5658

CLAUDE.PIENING@SOTHEBYS.COM 

Edward Gibbs

Chairman | Middle East and India

+44 20 7293 5332

EDWARD.GIBBS@SOTHEBYS.COM

Gregory Rubinstein

Senior Director | Worldwide Head of Old Master & Early British Drawings

+44 20 7293 5417

GREG.RUBINSTEIN@SOTHEBYS.COM

Alexander Faber

Head of Department | Old Master Drawings

+1 212 606 7552

ALEXANDER.FABER@SOTHEBYS.COM

Cristiana Romalli

Consultant | Old Master Drawings

London

+44 20 7293 5419

CRISTIANA.ROMALLI.CONSULTANT@SOTHEBYS.COM

Adina Mukhamejan

Department Assistant, PA | Old Master & Early British Drawings

London

+44 20 7293 5418

ADINA.MUKHAMEJAN@SOTHEBYS.COM