Name of Object:

The Necropolis, Petra, March 9th, 1839

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Institution:

Sharjah Art Museum / Sharjah Museums Authority

 About Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah

Date of Object:

Published 1849

Author:

David Roberts; Louis Hague (David Roberts: 24/10/1796; Louis Hague: 17/3/1806, David Roberts: Edinburgh, Scotland; Louis Hague: Tournai, Belgium-David Roberts: 25/11/1864; Louis Hague: 9/3/1885, David Roberts: London; Louis Hague: London)

Inventory Number:

SM 2006 - 265

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Lithograph

Dimensions:

329 mm x 428 mm

Provenance:

London

Description:

The Necropolis' of Petra appears in Volume 3 of 'The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia' from drawings made on the spot by David Roberts, lithographed by Louis Haghe and published in six volumes by F.G. Moon in London between 1842-1845. Situated at the beginning of the steep ravine or siq that leads into the heart of Petra, both the so-called 'obelisk tomb' shown in the centre and the Triclinium situated to its lower right still exist today, even if much eroded since the days Roberts visited Petra in 1839. In the 19th century, Petra was one of Europe's most enduring Orientalist fascinations, but it also played a part in the region's more modern history. In October 1917, T. E. Lawrence, to divert Turkish military resources away from the British advance before the Third Battle of Gaza, led a small force of Syrians and Arabs in successfully defending Petra against a combined force of Turks and Germans. Bedouin women from the Petra area - under the leadership of their Sheikh's wife - were recruited to fight in the defense of the city.

Citation of this web page:

Ulrike al-Khamis "The Necropolis, Petra, March 9th, 1839" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;ua;6;en

Prepared by: Ulrike Al-Khamis

MWNF Working Number: UA 006