About this artwork

David Roberts was the first professional British artist to travel independently to the Middle East in 1838. He was the first British artist to draw the ruins of Ancient Egypt. Like many British artists he used the familiar visual language of European landscapes to capture the unfamiliar scenery. By using architectural motifs to provide structure to compositions like this he is able to present a dramatic scene of classical grandeur, illuminated by sunlight complemented by a large area of shade in the foreground. The dramatic scene is enhanced by the three groups of figures, which convey the sense of scale. The figures also give the picture richer, darker and redder tones that contrast with the sandy colours of the architecture. This painting uses a lot of the essential ingredients that make up a picturesque scene: distant mountains, classical ruins and figures for human interest and to convey motion. Such was Roberts's popularity following his Middle Eastern visit that his work was frequently imitated or copied. This picture, originally attributed to Roberts himself, is now considered to be a pastiche by another artist.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Baalbec
  • date created:
    1842
  • after:
    David Roberts (1796 - 1864) Scottish
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    35.80 x 46.00 cm; Framed: 57.20 x 67.20 x 122.00 cm / 8.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Bequeathed by Helen Guiterman through Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    NG 2828
  • gallery:
  • subject:
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.