THE ESCURIAL.

A beautiful rustic scene looking across to The Escorial in the distance. This palatial complex, 45 kilometres northwest of Madrid, lies at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range which is depicted here in Roberts’s stunning view. In the foreground of the picture to the left is a wooden water wheel, whilst cattle and goats rest and graze by a cart to the right.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, with some very light spotting on right margin. In fine condition.