Perhaps the greatest travel painter of all time was David Roberts, a Scotsman who traveled to Egypt and the Holy Lands in 1838 into 1839.  He returned with a remarkable collection of paintings which were lithographed by Louis Haghe, perhaps the finest lithographer of that century, and published in a massive work that is still immensely popular in Egypt and Israel.  I have` long admired his work and desired to travel in his footsteps.  A tour to Egypt and Jordan in 2001 afforded me the opportunity to do some small watercolors along the way---and it was a great thrill for me! 
 

      
ABU SIMBEL     

The incredible rock cut temple of Rameses II on the Nile in Nubia.  An international effort saved this temple from the rising waters of Lake Nasser due to the new Aswan High Dam.

          
TEMPLE OF LUXOR

The facade of the propylon from the row of sphinxes.  I got up early for this one, for the sun was only right early in the morning.  What a thrill!  I virtually had the place to myself---something that rarely happens around the great Egyptian monuments.

TEMPLE OF LUXOR II

Sitting on the sidewalk with my back to the Nile, I sketched some of the great columns of Luxor, together with the back of the propylon.  A number of people stopped by to look over my shoulder, including a film crew that included me in their production

     
TEMPLE OF LUXOR III

I could not stop painting this great temple!  I would probably still be there if my tour had not moved on.  The sun began to set before I finished this painting, so some of the color was accomplished after I returned to my hotel room.

        
KARNAK

The largest temple in the world, constructed by a number of pharaohs over a period of centuries.  I did not realize it at the time, but David Roberts had sat in virtually the same spot for one of his paintings.  He probably sat alone.  I was surrounded by hundreds of awestruck tourists.

       
HALL OF COLUMNS, KARNAK

I remember this little painting with amusement.  I set my folding stool in what I thought would be a private corner of this great hall of columns.  As it turned out, the spot proved to be the main stopping point for one tour group after another.  The sketch was accomplished between tour groups.

       
THE "TREASURY," PETRA, JORDAN

It is worth a trip to Jordan to see the “Rose Red City” of Petra, built by the Nabateans prior to the Roman period and later extended by the Romans.  This incredible facade is carved out of solid rock

 

       
HADRIAN'S ARCH, JERASH, JORDAN

This arch is at the entrance to the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan. Jerash is not as well known as Ephesus in Turkey, but rivals that city in extent and preservation.  This sketch worked quickly and simply.

      
THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

We stayed at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel at the foot of the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre.  I did this sketch sitting on a fire escape landing of the hotel early in the cool February morning, after which I had breakfast while gazing at these unbelievable structures.

      
KOM OMBO

When David Roberts painted Kom Ombo, it was still half covered with sand.  Now fully excavated, this Egyptian temple is impressive and beautiful on its site overlooking the Nile.  The interior carvings and paintings are exquisite.