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Picturesque Scenery of the Holy Land & Syria
(1819)

Original 220+-year-old aquatint etchings with colouring by hand

Sketched on the scene by Francis B. Spilsbury, redrawn in London by Daniel Orme,
etched in aquatint by Joseph Constantine Stadler
Printed for T. M'Lean, bookseller and publisher, by B. R. Howlett; London, 1819

Sheet size: approximately 12.5 x 18 inches (about 32 x 46 cm)

F.B. Spilsbury was a surgeon on board the H.M.S. Tigre, which together with the H.M.S. Theseus, under the command of Commodore Sir Sydney Smith, were sent on a naval mission to the Holy Land and Syria. This operation was launched as part of the overall mission to counter the military campaigns of Napoleon in the Middle East in 1799 and 1800.

Spilsbury's original on-site sketches of famous sites and local peoples were redrawn in London by Daniel Orme. They were etched in aquatint by Joseph Constantine Stadler, a prolific engraver, who worked in London and created works after some of the leading artists of the day, including J.F.W. Turner. Edward Orme, the publisher, was a London artist and printseller, serving as engraver to King George III from 1799 to 1820, and to the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) from 1817 to 1830.

These prints are characteristic of those made during Regency period, a time of exploration of the Middle East spurred by Napoleon's explorations and conquests in Egypt. Often these expeditions were published as books, containing descriptions and illustrations of the ancient architecture, customs and culture of indigenous peoples.

These etchings are in remarkable condition, with very fresh, bright colors.


Francis B. Spilsbury

Please click on the thumbnail images for an enlarged view of the entire plate.


Jacob's Bridge
$250
Dance at Genin
Dance at Genin
$225
Lake of Tiberia
Lake of Tiberia
$250
Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan
$225
Arab Huts at Zeta
Arab Huts at Zeta
$225
Grand Vizier's Tent
Grand Vizier's Tent

Dede near Tripoli
Dede near Tripoli
$375
Tyre
Tyre
$375
Zeta near Jaffa in Syria
Zeta near Jaffa in Syria
$250
Joseph's Pit and Well
Joseph's Pit and Well
$250
The Pilgrim's Castle
The Pilgrim's Castle
$350
Jezzar Pacha Condemning a Criminal
Jezzar Pacha Condemning a Criminal
$250
Market in Acre
Market in Acre
$250
Sidon
Sidon

View of Acre & H.M. Ship Le Tigre
View of Acre &
H.M. Ship Le Tigre

$375
Caesaria
Caesaria
$375
Mount Tabor
Mount Tabor
$250
 
Antique Topographical Scenes home page