Petra, Jordan  (1834)

We are delighted to present "Petra, Jordan," an exquisite watercolor painting by the esteemed 19th-century Scottish artist David Roberts. Created in 1834, this piece captures a rare, picturesque view of Petra, the historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan, famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system.Roberts’s eye for detail and his skillful use of watercolors bring to life the ruddy hues of Petra's stone, against a backdrop of a deep and expansive sky. The painting portrays a variety of architectures hewn directly into the vibrant red cliffs, giving viewers a glimpse of the city’s grandeur and scope.The foreground of the painting features several figures in period attire, possibly local Bedouins or travelers, engaged in casual interactions, which adds a human element and scale to the otherwise monumental landscape. Notably, the inclusion of a detailed, semi-circular stone amphitheater carved into the hillside suggests the historical depth and cultural significance of Petra.To the right, the carved façade of Petra’s iconic Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) can be seen, standing majestically as if surveying the lands around it. The scene’s expansiveness is balanced with delicate rendering of the far-off mountains and the azure sky, conveying the remote, almost otherworldly location of Petra.David Roberts's "Petra, Jordan" not only serves as a historical depiction of one of the most treasured sites of ancient civilization but also as a testament to the artist’s masterful handling of light, shade, and colour.