Lot 1529 Dα

After studying architecture, Johann Martin Bernatz began his painting career with vedutas of his homeland of Southern Germany. He travelled to Egypt and Palestine from 1836 - 37, and later to Abyssinia in 1841 - 1843 as part of a scientific expedition organised by the English government. Upon his return he began publishing an extensive series of lithographs, with which he advanced to one of the most popular veduta artists of the 19th century ("Bilder aus dem heiligen Lande, nach der Natur gezeichnet", Stuttgart 1839, "Scenes in Ethiopia", London 1852). Alongside his prints, he also captured the impressions of his travels in impressive oil paintings and watercolours. For example a depiction of the tombs of Petra, currently in private ownership in South Germany, or a similar sized version of the present Ethiopian motif, which was sold by Bonhams in London in 2006.