Plate 111 The Rock of Moses - After David Roberts

A depiction of the Rock of Moses at Horeb (Wady El Leja). This is the location where Moses struck the rock and drinking water came out of it for the Israelites whilst they were in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6). Here Roberts has created a scene with with local Arabs and Mount Horeb in the background. Writing in his journal the artist said '22nd  - Made a drawing of the Rock of Moses, said to be that from which the water gushed forth to the thirsty multitude. Took leave of our friends the monks of St. Catherine's, of whose kindness it is impossible to speak too highly.' [1]
 
The drawings and watercolours from this tour of the Holy Land and Egypt were collated together into folios and released over a seven year period (1842-1849) by the publisher F.G. Moon from 20 Threadneedle Street London. This lithograph is from the Royal Subscription Edition (1842-1849) with only 500 copies produced per depiction.
 
Medium: Original Royal Subscription Edition, half-plate hand-coloured lithograph on thin India paper.
 
Half Plate 111.
 
Inscribed l.l 'Rock of Moses. Wady of Leja. Mount Horeb. Feby 22nd 1839' (partially hidden under mount) and l.r. 'David Roberts R.A', 33.8 x 24.2 cm, mounted.
 
Bibliography:
 
[1] David Roberts' Journal, 22nd February 1839.
 
Condition report: generally very good. There are a few small marks on the lithograph and the paper is slightly wavy which is very common with the RSE works because of the thin India paper.