Plate 15 The Golden Gate, Jerusalem - After David Roberts
Roberts drew this composition on the 29th March 1839.
'The eastern walls of the city, at the foot of which lies a Muslim cemetery, are broken by the elegant forepart of the Golden Gate, which Roberts was able to admire during his walk around the walls. The fortification stands several yards higher than the surrounding countryside, and was rebuilt during the Byzantine era on the ruins of a Roman tower from the reign of Hadrian. The lower section of the walls and the vaults of the two twin arches seem to belong to the original structure, which has been renovated and modified extensively over the centuries. The Crusaders expanded and embellished them during their rule over Jerusalem, and the sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had them restored in the sixteenth century, when he incorporated them into the circuit of walls that even today surrounds the Old City.
The Golden Gate, also known as the Gate of Mercy, had been walled up as early as the conquest by the Crusaders, but it was opened once a year, during Palm Sunday, since tradition held that Jesus passed through here during his entrance into the Temple. Nonetheless, it was definitively sealed in 1530 by the Muslims, who even kept a squadron of guards here in the fear of the prophecy that the new king of Jerusalem and of the entire world would enter the city through that very gate. Even now, many believe that the Golden Gate will miraculously be reopened only when the Messiah enters for the second time the city of David.' [1]
Writing in his journal on the 29th March Roberts said ''It is better to be born lucky than rich' is an old proverb, and it applies to me. This morning the quarantine has been removed, and the whole population pour out of the gates to enjoy the open country. Troops were marching, drums beating, and colours flying, and these were followed by mobs of men, women, and children. This morning I made the circuit of the city walls, proceeding northward by the gate of Damascus and the Valley of Jehoshaphat to the hill of Sion, where the tomb of David is placed, a Mahometan mosque, which no Christian is allowed to enter.' [2]
The drawings and watercolours from this tour by David Roberts of the Holy Land and Egypt were collated together into folios and released over a seven-year period by the publisher F.G. Moon from 20 Threadneedle Street London. This lithograph was published on July 1st 1841.
Medium: Original First Edition Lithograph, with later hand-colouring on thick woven paper.
Half Plate 15.
Inscribed lower centre 'Golden Gate of The Temple showing part of the ancient walls', 24.8 x 32.1 cm, mounted (40.9 x 47.3cm).
References:
[1] Fabio Bourbon (ed). Yesterday and Today: The Holy Land. Swan Hill Press: London, 1997, p.127. Translated by Antony Shugaar.
[2] David Roberts' Journal, 29th March 1839.
Condition report: good for its age. A few small markings and time staining, please see photos. The small marks are mainly on the right hand side. Recently put into a new acid free mount.