29 April 2025 | London | full auction details

As the first professional artist from Britain to travel to the middle east and north Africa, Roberts’ journey through the region in the spring of 1839 was as ground-breaking and it was intrepid. The body of work that he created on and soon after these epic travels not only caused a sensation amongst his contemporaries but is still recognised today as one of the great artistic achievements of the entire 19th century.

Sotheby’s is thrilled to present for sale an extraordinary collection of thirty-five watercolours by Roberts whose subjects include many of the most iconic landscapes, cities and ancient monuments that he had the privilege to visit. Assembled over a period of more than a quarter of a century by a most passionate and discerning collector, the collection is considered the greatest of its type in private hands.