Artist: William Henry Bartlett (1809–1854)
Engraver: Thomas Abiel Prior (1809–1886)
Technique: Original Antique Steel Engraving
Dimensions: Plate: 12.7x19.3 cm | Page: 20.0x26.8 cm
Status: Authentic print published between eighteen thirty six and eighteen thirty eight, explicit text attributions on the lower border
Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co., London & Paris
About the Artwork:
This authentic antique steel engraving, published circa 1836, captures a picturesque topographical scene of a traditional stone Khan (an inn or caravanserai) situated along the Damour River in Lebanon, along the historic mountain route connecting Beiteddine and Beirut. Masterfully drawn from nature by the prominent British illustrator William Henry Bartlett, the composition centers on the rustic roadside structure where regional merchants and travelers found shelter. The foreground is highly detailed, featuring travelers resting on stone steps, water pipes, packed cargo, and saddled horses by the riverside. Engraved onto steel with excellent fine line precision by Thomas Abiel Prior, the print details the rugged mountain cliffs and native foliage backdropping the vibrant rest station. This plate originates from the publication Syria, The Holy Land, Asia Minor, &c. Illustrated.
About the Artists:
William Henry Bartlett (1809–1854): One of the most celebrated and prolific British topographical illustrators of the nineteenth century, famed for his highly accurate on-the-spot travel sketches of the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Thomas Abiel Prior (1809–1886): A highly esteemed English line and landscape engraver who achieved great recognition for his masterfully detailed steel plate renderings of architectural vistas.