Possibly Frederick Nettlefold (1833-1913);
his executor's sale, London, Christie's, 5 June 1913, lot 40, bt. Agnew's;
with Agnew's, London;
George Sandford, Archdeacon of Doncaster (1861-1945);
Private Collection, 1950s;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 10 July 1997, lot 158,
where acquired by Bernadette and William M.B. Berger, Denver, Colorado

K. Sim, David Roberts R.A. 1796-1864, London 1984, p. 128

Lithographed:

by Louis Haghe for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia, London, 1846, vol. 1, pl. 20

This watercolour is in generally good condition. The paper has darkened with time but the image remains clear and readable. The work is not laid down.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This large drawing was made on the 28^th November, during Roberts’ journey up the Nile between the 6^th October and the 21^st December 1838. Although other Europeans had explored the interior of Egypt before him, Roberts was the first British professional artist to make the journey up the Nile. He explored Karnak twice during this voyage, once on the 23^rd October and again between the 26^th and 31^st November. He enthused in his journal ‘What shall I say of Carnac [sic]? Its grandeur cannot be imagined, were I to write what I think it would be merely rhapsody’.¹ He continued, advising that in order to gain a true impression of their grandeur ‘you must be under them [the columns] and look up and walk round them.’²

Other drawings by Roberts of the Hypostyle Hall at Karnac are held at the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, the Manchester City Art Gallery and the Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield.³ The present drawing was lithographed for Roberts’ The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia in 1846. 🌄We are grateful to Briony Llewellyn for her help when cataloguin💟g this work.

1. H. Guiterman and B. Llewellyn, David Roberts, London 1987, p. 114
2. Ibid, p. 77
3. Karnac - View looking across the Hall of Columns (Yale Center for British Art B1915.4.1579); The Temple, Karnak - Oblique View of The Hall of Columns (Manchester City Art Gallery - 1966.267); Karnac, Hall of Columns - The Dromos, or First Court of the Temple of Karnac (Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield - 2239)