David Roberts RA (1796-1864) - Baalbec, Ruins of the Temple of the Sun

This is a very rare engraving by John Pye published in 1849 after the painting by David Roberts. It was published by Joseph Hogarth and was dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury John Bird Sumner. The full title for the picture is 'Baalbec, Ruins of the Temple of the Sun - Mount Lebanon in the distance'. Baalbec was an area that Roberts took a great interest in and produced some of his defining compositions from his Holy Land and Egyptian tour. The Temple of the Sun dominates the depiction with the snow capped mountains in the distance. 
 
'The origins and earliest history of Baalbec are lost in obscurity.' [1]. However, there is clearly a link to the god Baal, and Baalbec simply means 'City of Baal'. The town was eventually known as Heliopolis during Hellenistic times. Roberts was particularly impressed with the architecture on display saying 'have begun my studies of the temple, of the magnificence of which it is impossible to convey ay idea, either by pencil or pen. The beauty of its form, the exquisite richness of its ornament, and the vast magnitude of its dimensions, are altogether unparalleled.' [2]
 
Medium: engraving, published on 4th April 1849 by J Hogarth, 5 Haymarket, 23.9 x 37.4cm (engraving size), mounted (46 x 55.1cm).
 
References:
 
[1] Fabio Bourbon (ed). Yesterday and Today: The Holy Land. Swan Hill Press: London, 1997, p.262. Translated by Antony Shugaar.
 
[2] David Roberts' Egyptian and Holy Land Journal, 4th May 1839.
 
Condition Report: generally in good condition and has been recently put into an acid free mount. There are a few small markings, please see photos.