The River Jordan at Joshua's Crossing, Antique Holy Land View, circa 1850

The River Jordan, an original antique steel engraving, uncolored, circa 1850. The caption below the image reads DER JORDAN with the line an der Stelle des Uebergangs der Israeliten unter Josua beneath, that is, the Jordan at the place where the Israelites crossed under Joshua.

The river flows toward the viewer between wooded banks, with a mountain rising in the hazy distance beyond a bend. On the left bank, under tall trees, a large crowd of men and women in robes and headdresses gathers on a rocky ledge, and below them women carrying jars on their heads come down to the water. Several people swim or wade in the river in the foreground. Two riders on horseback ford the stream at the center, and on the far bank at the right further figures, riders and a long line of people move along the shore under a wood.

No artist or engraver is named on the plate. The imprint at lower left reads Aus d. Kunstanst. d. Bibliogr. Instit. in Hildbh. (from the art works of the Bibliographisches Institut in Hildburghausen), and at lower right Eigenthum d. Verleger (property of the publishers).

The sheet comes from a dealer's album rather than from a bound set. Meyer's Universum was a serial collection of engraved views with descriptive text, published by Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut at Hildburghausen from 1833, its plates engraved on steel. The Book of Joshua tells of the Israelites crossing the Jordan into Canaan, and the river is also the traditional place of the baptism of Jesus.

Loss or wear at the bottom left, bottom right, top left and top right corners. A deeper irregularity along the left edge. Even age toning. Handling soiling along the right edge. Small light flecks in the printed area, to be checked by eye.

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