ENTRANCE TO MADRID. THE GATE OF ALCALA.

A stunning view of the Alcala Gate in Madrid, with people and cattle busily thronging the street below the towering gate. Known as the Scottish Canaletto, David Roberts was considered one of the best topographical artists of his generation. He visited Spain and Tangier on the recommendation of fellow Scottish artist David Wilkie. The resulting volume of tinted lithographs ‘Picturesque Sketches in Spain’ was his first published set of views, and clearly showed both his skill as a draughtsman and his love of architecture. It also helped to bring about his election to the Royal Academy in 1841. According to Roberts’s first biographer, James Ballantine: “the views... when they were published had an enormous sale, and since then the work has gone through more printings than any work in lithography every published”.

Good wide margins. In fine condition.