Wady Dabod [Wadi Dabod], Nubia. Nov. 16th, 1838. 1846 - 1849

David Roberts created "Wady Dabod, Nubia" on November 16, 1838, during his travels through the Middle East and North Africa. Roberts, a Scottish painter, was celebrated for his detailed architectural and landscape depictions, but his work is also deeply embedded in the context of 19th-century Orientalism. This movement often exoticized and romanticized the "East," reinforcing colonial power dynamics. In "Wady Dabod," Roberts presents a vision of Nubia through a Western lens, one that emphasizes the ancient monuments while also framing the local environment. Consider how the inclusion of local figures—tiny and almost lost amidst the landscape—serves to highlight both the grandeur of the scene and the perceived insignificance of the indigenous population. This artwork invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between artistic representation, cultural encounter, and the power structures inherent in the colonial gaze. It’s not just a landscape; it’s a statement about who has the power to see and to represent.