Description
The site shown in Sepulchres of the Kings of Judah is probably the so-called tomb of King David, located in Jerusalem below the Chamber of the Last Supper. For centuries, it was believed that not only David but King Solomon and the other Kings of Judah were buried there. This notion has been dismissed as unlikely by later scholars.
Mayer was an Italian-born artist of German descent. The aquatint engraver, Thomas Milton studied under William Woollett, and was extolled by scholar W. Bell Scott as having “a unique power of distinguishing the foliage of trees and the texture of bodies, especially water, as it never had been done before, and never will be done again.”
This print is 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.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light toning, wear, soiling, soft creases.
References:
Abbey, Travel, 369.
Blackmer 1097.
Colas 2018-2022.
Gay 2145.
Hiler, pp. 577-8.
HBS 15571.
