Wells of Moses, Wilderness of Tyh - David Roberts
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A detailed lithograph by David Roberts depicting a caravan resting at the Wells of Moses in the Wilderness of Tyh, captured during his 1839 travels.
This lithograph depicts the Wells of Moses, located in the Wilderness of Tyh, as observed by David Roberts during his extensive travels through the Near East in 1839. Roberts, a Scottish painter, gained recognition for his detailed documentation of architectural and geographical sites across Egypt, the Holy Land, and Syria. His work provided nineteenth-century European audiences with a visual record of regions that were then largely inaccessible to the general public.
The composition captures a quiet moment of respite for a caravan. In the foreground, figures in traditional attire rest upon a rug, while camels and their handlers gather near the water source. The mid-ground features a small pool surrounded by sparse vegetation, including palm trees, which contrast with the arid, undulating terrain. In the distance, the hazy outlines of mountains meet the horizon, suggesting the vast scale of the desert environment. Roberts utilised a delicate application of tone to render the soft light and atmospheric conditions of the region, characteristic of his approach to topographical drawing.
This print is part of the broader collection published as 'The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia'. The lithographic process, executed by Louis Haghe, successfully translated Roberts' original watercolour sketches into a medium suitable for wider distribution. The work reflects the period's fascination with biblical geography and the documentation of distant cultures. By focusing on the daily activities of the travellers, Roberts provides a sense of human scale within the expansive desert setting. The print remains a valuable record of the mid-nineteenth-century perception of the Middle East, demonstrating the technical precision and observational skill that defined Roberts' career as a travel artist.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Wells of Moses, Wilderness of Tyh - David Roberts
Artist Biography
David Roberts
In 1838 he sailed for Egypt and spent the next two years travelling through the Middle East, filling sketchbooks with drawings of temples, mosques, ruins and desert landscapes that almost no British artist had recorded before. To enter the mosques he had to shave off his sideburns, leave his hog-hair brushes behind (the pig being unclean), and wear traditional Arab clothing while he worked. He was one of the first Europeans allowed to paint inside a mosque.
The sketches became The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia, a series of 247 lithograph plates produced in collaboration with the printer Louis Haghe between 1842 and 1849. He funded the project through advance subscriptions, soliciting them personally. Queen Victoria was subscriber number one. Her complete set is still in the Royal Collection.
The lithographs gave Europeans their first detailed visual record of the ancient Near East. They were bought as art, used as reference by scholars, and shaped the Western imagination of Egypt and Palestine for the rest of the century.
His personal life was less composed. His wife Margaret became an alcoholic and in 1831 he sent her back to Scotland to be cared for by friends. He raised their daughter Christine largely alone. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1841, a considerable achievement for a man who had started painting houses, and worked steadily until his death in 1864.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like