Artwork
Lower Pool of Siloam, Valley of Jehoshaphat
Lower Pool of Siloam, Valley of Jehoshaphat is a print by the Romanticist artist David Roberts. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1839, this lithographic view records the Lower Pool of Siloam and the surrounding Valley of Jehoshaphat in Jerusalem.
About this work
Overview
The composition balances a tranquil water basin in the foreground with a gently rising valley that extends toward distant structures.
Created in 1839, this lithographic view records the Lower Pool of Siloam and the surrounding Valley of Jehoshaphat in Jerusalem. The composition balances a tranquil water basin in the foreground with a gently rising valley that extends toward distant structures. Light plays across the stone walls and foliage, while a small gathering of figures animates the scene, offering a snapshot of everyday activity in the historic landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a specific Jerusalem site revered in biblical tradition, presenting the pool as a focal point of communal life. By placing figures beside the water, the work suggests both the practical function of the pool and its role as a gathering place, hinting at the layered religious and social significance attached to the location.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the piece reflects Roberts’s meticulous approach to topographical detail, employing fine line work to render stone texture and subtle tonal variations. A restrained palette of blues, greens, and warm earth tones conveys atmospheric depth, while the handling of light on the water surface demonstrates the artist’s skill in balancing documentary precision with Romantic sensibility.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Roberts’s extensive series documenting his 1838‑1840 travels across the Near East, later published under titles such as *The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia*. Recognized for these works, Roberts was elected a Royal Academician in 1841, cementing his reputation as a leading British Orientalist.
Context
Produced during a period of heightened European interest in the biblical lands, the lithograph served both scholarly and popular audiences. Its blend of accurate site representation and evocative landscape aligns with the Romantic fascination for exotic locales, while also providing valuable visual records for travelers and antiquarians of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Roberts (24 October 1796 – 25 November 1864) was a Scottish painter. He is especially known for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a prolific series of detailed lithograph prints of Egypt and…
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