Sir David Wilkie’s Sketches in Turkey, Syria & Egypt – Volume of Lithographs after Sketches by David Wilkie – ...

Sir David Wilkie’s Sketches in Turkey, Syria & Egypt – Volume of Lithographs after Sketches by David Wilkie – London, 1843
Sir David Wilkie's Sketches in Turkey, Syria & Egypt, 1840 & 1841. [London]: Messrs Graves and Warmsley, 1843. English.
A folio volume, with 25 lithographs by Joseph Nash after sketches by David Wilkie. The lithographs depict figures whom Wilkie met during his visit to the Middle East in the years 1840-1841. Among them – the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Abdülmecid I; Persian Prince Halakoo Mirza; inhabitants of various towns in the Ottoman Empire, including Jews in Jerusalem (woman with a child, group of women reading the scriptures); figures near the Ecce Homo arch; A Turkish courier announcing the occupation of Acre; and more.
The lithographs are titled and signed in the plate; some are dated. Lithographic title page followed by a leaf with the publishers' dedication on one side and the list of plates on the other side.
The painter David Wilkie (1785-1841) was born in Scotland and studied art in London where, starting in 1806, he exhibited his works. In 1811 Wilkie was elected an associate of the Royal Academy of Art, and in 1830 was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary to the King. Wilkie went on a journey to the Middle East in 1840, to make the acquaintance of the Holy Land and gather materials for Biblical-themed works. During his journey Wilkie painted the portrait of the Ottoman Sultan and other portraits. In 1841, while on his way back to London, he fell sick and died on board of a ship near the shores of Gibraltar.
[27] leaves (with protective paper guards between the plates), 53 cm. Half-leather, gilt embossed binding (cover title reads "Sir David Wilkie's Oriental Sketches"). Good-fair condition. Numerous stains. Several darkened leaves. Creases. Tears to margins of some leaves. Tears and wear to binding (mainly to corners and spine).