Plate 46 Encampment of Pilgrims at Jericho - After David Roberts
Roberts drew this composition on the 1st April 1839.
'In the Gospel according to St. Mark, it is written: "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan." It is therefore not hard to understand why over the centuries multitudes of the faithful have ventured to undertake the difficult and perilous journey to bathe and purify themselves, during the Easter time, in the waters of the river, not far from Jericho.
And so it happened that in April of 1839 David Roberts was able to produces another one of his early "scoops"; during this period, the entire territory was plagued by the raids of robber brigands, and the caravans of pilgrims usually travelled with the escort of a considerable troop of armed guards, provided by the governor of Jerusalem. This strange mixture of the power of faith and the necessity of weapons can be found even now at Allenby Bridge, just a few miles from the site of the Baptism of Christ, a sensitive crossroads of many different cultures and faiths. Roberts, who until then had travelled with the protection of armed men put at his disposal by Achmet Aga, was finally greeted by Achmet Aga himself, while still in the vicinity of Jericho. Later, the artist noted in his notebook that he had been received, with exquisite courtesy, in the tent of the high official, who had offered him sherbets and coffee. Towards evening, the two men rode together to the banks of the Jordan, where preparations were already under way for the following day. The scene that Roberts portrayed here was remarkably lively. The camp is dominated by the tent of the governor; all around the tent, numerous groups of pilgrims are busily engaged in various activities. A number of horsemen ride their horses at a gallop, while other men from the escort chat idly. In the background is the motionless surface of the Dead Sea.' [1]
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 November 1st 1842.
Medium: Original First Edition Lithograph, with later hand-colouring on thick woven paper.
Half Plate 46.
Inscribed l.r. 'David Roberts R.A.' and l.l. 'Encampment of Pilgrims, Jericho April 1st 1839', 24.1 x 33.7cm (lithograph size), mounted (42.2 x 51.4cm).
The original title is visible through a cut out on the mount 'Encampment of the Pilgrims at Jericho' and the original text from the publication in 1842 is included attached to the back of the mount.
References:
[1] Fabio Bourbon (ed). Yesterday and Today: The Holy Land. Swan Hill Press: London, 1996, p.143. Translated by A.B.A. Milano.
Condition report: good for its age. A few small markings and time staining, for example in the top right hand corner, please see photos. Recently put into a new acid free mount.