Lebanon

Antique print showing the famous cedars of Lebanon.

This attractive steel-engraved print is based off artwork created by William Henry Bartlett, one of the foremost illustrators of topography of his generation. It was originally included in a volume published by Fisher, Son & Co. in 1836 and shows a breathtaking scene in Lebanon.

Steep mountains in the background (probably Mount Lebanon) drop off precipitously into deep gorges. A grove of the famous cedar trees is prominently featured, with numerous people gathered therein around a fire. The trees have significant cultural and religious relevance and feature prominently in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible. The wood’s durability and resistance to insects make it a valuable construction material for ships and buildings dating back to the Phoenicians.