Laurie and Whittle.

Grand Cairo; the Metropolis of Africa.

22¾ x 16¾ inches

An etching in vibrant original hand colour, published by Messers Laurie and Whittle in London in 1810.

A majestic, panoramic view of Cairo taking in the Grand Mosque to the right, the Citadel to the left and the Pyramids at Giza on the horizon.

This print dates from a fascinating period in Cairo's history. During the C18th the city was under Ottoman rule and was the second largest city in the empire, after Constantinople. A turbulent time commenced in 1798 when Napoleon invaded and captured Cairo only to be defeated by a joint British and Ottoman offensive in 1801. The British departed two years later in 1803 (they would be back!) leaving Cairo to be fought over by the Ottomans, the Albanians and the Mamluks! Fascination for the cultural history and archaeological treasures of Ancient Egypt was long established in England but the first military success in the region would have piqued interest even further. Publishers like Laurie and Whittle would have rushed to provide topographical views to meet the demand.

£850