Antique View of Raschid or Rosetta on the Nile, Niebuhr, 1776

This is an original antique copper engraving from 1776, a wide view of the town of Raschid, known in English as Rosetta, on the Nile. The caption reads in Dutch Gezigt der Stad RASCHÎD. and in French Vüë de la Ville de RASCHÎD., both meaning view of the city of Raschid.

The town spreads along the left background, a mass of flat roofed houses with minarets rising above it. The river opens to the right, with boats under lateen sails, a long island planted with palms and buildings in midstream, and more houses along the far bank at the right. A tall palm frames the left edge, and a slope of palms and bushes runs down toward the water. In the foreground two horsemen with raised lances ride across open sandy ground, with a man on foot carrying a stick beside them, while a small group of figures sits beneath the palm at the left. Near the center stands a tall rounded structure, and at the lower right a small domed building with palms beside it.

The credits are lettered under the image: Baurenfeind, del: at the lower left and C. Philips, Jz: sculps: at the lower right. The plate number Tab: VI. is engraved at the upper right.

The plate comes from the first volume of Voyage en Arabie & en d'autres Pays circonvoisins, the French translation of Carsten Niebuhr's account, its title page reading TOME PREMIER. Traduit de l'Allemand. A AMSTERDAM, chez S. J. BAALDE. A UTRECHT, chez J. VAN SCHOONHOVEN & COMP. MDCCLXXVI. Carsten Niebuhr (1733 to 1815) was a German born surveyor in Danish service and the only member of the Danish expedition to Arabia (1761 to 1767), sent by King Frederick V of Denmark, to return alive. The expedition's artist, Georg Wilhelm Baurenfeind, died at sea in 1763.

A few small nicks along the lower edge. Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. Handling soiling along the bottom, left and right edges. Scattered light foxing in the margin. Folding plate, original folds as issued.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.