Pillar of Absalom Near Jerusalem: David Roberts ' 19th C. Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1841

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This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Absaloms Pillar, Valley of Schoshaphat" by David Roberts, from his Egypt … Read more This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Absaloms Pillar, Valley of Schoshaphat" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1841. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered among the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century.

This page from Roberts' 19th century publication includes a half-folio hand-colored lithograph of a view of one of a group of four tombs outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. This tomb is known as the Pillar of Absalom. It depicts the pillar atop a square structure with columns, which remains half buried in the rocky slope of the Mount of Olives. A bridge crosses a ravine on the right. Arab men are seen in the foreground in their colorful native costumes, including a pair of guards who are sitting on the slope next to the tomb. The lithograph is titled in the plate in the lower center in Roberts' own script; "Absaloms Pillar, Valley of Schoshaphat".

This hand-colored lithograph print is printed on wove paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 23.88" high and 17" wide. There are a few faint spots in the upper portion of the left margin, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition.

The so-called 'Tomb of Absalom' is located at the Mount of Olives in the Kidron Valley, near Jerusalem. Local tradition dating back to at least the Byzantine era ascribes the tomb to Absalom, the rebellious son of King David. This is based on a description in the bible's Book of Samuel of a pillar that Absalom caused to be set up as a memorial to himself, owing to his lack of sons to carry on his name. In fact, the tomb was more likely built during the first century AD, at a similar time to other nearby tombs in the Kidron Valley. The identification of the tomb's actual purpose is not known for sure, but it has been suggested that it may once have been the burial place of Herod Agrippa, since it is similar to the architectural style of the tomb of Herod the Great, Agrippa's grandfather. The tomb's burial-chamber is cut directly from the rock of the Mount of Olives. Architecturally, it is typical of the Eastern Hellenistic style of the first century AD, with a combination of Ionic, Doric, and Egyptian components. Muslims gave the tomb the Arabic name Tantur Fir'aun, "Pharaoh's Hat", due to the shape of its dome. In his textual description, Roberts notes the structures similarities to the architecture of those tombs found at Petra in Jordan. The lower portion of the page contains text from Roberts journal. This print can be displayed in its entirety, including both the lithograph and the text. Another option is to frame only the lithographic image. The text could be displayed on the back of the frame, perhaps glazed. See less