Mountain Views of Sinai and Horeb – Old Engraving of Biblical Landscapes, c.1776
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1776
Sheet size
27.3 × 25 cm (10.7 × 9.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14102-35
Condition
Good impression on laid paper with generous margins. Minimal age toning and only faint handling creases. A tiny spot near the top edge and a mild corner fold do not detract from the image. Vertical centerfold as issued.
About this sheet
Mountain Views of Sinai and Horeb – Antique Engraving of Biblical Landscapes, c.1790 This striking 18th-century engraving presents a series of eight scenic views of mountain ranges in the Sinai Peninsula, including Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb—both deeply significant in Judeo-Christian tradition. Titled in Dutch *Gezigt der bergen Sinai, Horeb, enz.* ("Views of the Mountains Sinai, Horeb, etc."), the plate offers detailed horizontal landscape profiles, each labeled A to H.
Mount Sinai is traditionally regarded as the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments, while Mount Horeb is often associated with the same or nearby location in biblical texts. These engravings represent European interpretations of the sacred topography, possibly based on sketches or accounts by early travelers or pilgrims.
The mountainous profiles—rendered in finely shaded lines—show a variety of rugged and majestic forms. Some include tiny architectural or monastic elements at their bases, likely referencing the long-standing religious settlements or hermitages in the region, such as Saint Catherine’s Monastery. These schematic yet evocative vistas were likely intended to satisfy the curiosity of European readers interested in the Holy Land, during an era when grand expeditions and religious tourism were becoming increasingly popular.
The print was likely engraved in the Netherlands around 1790, attributed to a series documenting travels in Egypt and the Levant. It would have accompanied a travel narrative or atlas combining scientific observation, biblical geography, and romantic curiosity about the Orient.
Condition: Good impression on laid paper with generous margins. Minimal age toning and only faint handling creases. A tiny spot near the top edge and a mild corner fold do not detract from the image. Vertical centerfold as issued.
Framing tips: A natural wood or dark brown frame with a warm ivory or stone-grey mount will complement the soft mountainous tones. Perfect for a travel-themed interior, a religious studies setting, or a collection focused on the Holy Land.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Anonymous, Netherlands, circa 1790
