Antique Views of Loheia and Beit el Fakih in Yemen, Niebuhr Engraving, 1776

This is an original antique copper engraving from 1776, plate LXI of the first volume of Carsten Niebuhr's account of his travels in Arabia, a folding plate with two views, each with its own caption. The upper reads Gezigt der Stad Loheia van de Z.Z.W. Zyde. and Vûe de la Ville de Loheia du Côté du S.S.O., "View of the town of Loheia from the south southwest". The lower reads Gezigt der Stad Beit el Fakíh van de N.N.W. Zyde. and Vûe de la Ville de Beit el Fakíh du Côté du N.N.O., "View of the town of Beit el Fakih from the north northwest".

The upper view looks across open water to Loheia, a low line of flat roofed buildings, towers and a few masts strung along the horizon between rocky hills. The foreground is filled with sailing boats with lateen sails, the largest at the left. The lower view shows Beit el Fakih across a broad sandy plain. A walled fort with round towers stands at the left, a tall minaret rises near the center, and domed and flat roofed houses spread to the right among trees. A string of camels with their drivers crosses the plain at the right, two riders travel at the left, and a small walled building stands at the left edge.

No draftsman or engraver is named on this sheet. The plate number Tab: LXI. is engraved at the upper right.

The plate comes from the first volume of Carsten Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie & en d'autres Pays circonvoisins, Traduit de l'Allemand (translated from the German), published A Amsterdam, chez S. J. Baalde and A Utrecht, chez J. van Schoonhoven & Comp., with the date MDCCLXXVI (1776) on the title page. 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 account was first published in German at Copenhagen; this is the French translation printed in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. Handling soiling along the bottom and top edges. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Folding plate, original center fold as issued. Slight wear at the top left and top right corners.

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