3-011-663 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late David Roberts, R.A., 1864. Engraving from a photograph by J. and C. Watkins. 'David Roberts never had...help or instruction from any teacher or professor...when only twenty-six, he became scene-painter at Drury Lane...in 1838...[he] started on a tour in the East, during which he took hundreds of sketches - for the most part executed in pencil, but often with the addition of a few washes of water colour. Nearly two hundred and fifty of these were lithographed by Mr. Louis Haghe, and, accompanied by eloquent descriptions by Dr. Croly, were published by Moon in four quarto volumes, as "Sketches in the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia."...[He] received £3000 for the copyright, and the popularity of this splendid work abroad as well as at home was remarkable...From the Queen [he] received a commission for the memorial picture of the "Inauguration of the Great Exhibition of 1851."...While walking in Berners-street he was seized with apoplexy, and to those who ran to his assistance could only utter the words, "Fitzroy-street - take me home." After this he became perfectly insensible till he expired, at seven o'clock the same evening. He was buried at Norwood Cemetery...in a private manner, in accordance with his wish'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.