In the late 1830s, Roberts travelled extensively in Egypt, Nubia, Sinai, the Holy Land, Jordan, and Lebanon. His intention was to create drawings that he could later use as the foundation for public-sale paintings and lithographs. The scenery and monuments of Egypt and the Holy Land were fashionable but had previously received little attention from British artists, so Roberts rapidly gathered many clients, his number 1 ‘subscriber’ being Queen Victoria for his Sketches in the Holy Land and Syria, 1842–1849 and Egypt & Nubia series.

David Roberts, 1796-1864

Edinburgh-born Roberts was the son of a shoemaker and showed signs of talent as a boy, becoming apprenticed to a scene-painted at the encouragement of his father. Through this apprenticeship, Roberts painted decors for the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, and sent architectural paintings to an ehxibition there. After this he moved to London, painting scenery for Drury Lane and Covent Garden. In 1824 he was admitted to the Society of British Artists and exhibited at the Suffolk Street Galleries from 1824 to 1836. He became a Royal Academician in 1841. Roberts' travels began in 1924, when he visted Normandy and sketched the Gothic buildings of France. He would continue to travel throught Europe, as well as venturing further afield to Syria and Egypt, which greatly inspired his work.