Egypt and Nubia, Volume III: Interior of the Mosque of the Sultan El Ghoree

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

The mosque of the Sultan El Ghoree was built by the Mamluk Sultan, Qansuh al-Ghuri (ruled 1501–16) according to sacred proportions. The lavish complex included an elegant fountain, a college, and the sultan’s own mausoleum, which was never used. Today, the mosque is still part of the historic urban fabric of modern Cairo. This print shows a view into its interior. Artist David Roberts travelled in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly Egypt, from 1838 to 1839. During his journey, Roberts produced a great number of sketches. He developed these into watercolors, which were the basis for a series of 247 lithographs made by Louis Haghe, of which this is one.

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