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Views of Greece, Egypt and Constantinople
2001.R.1
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Photographs of Greece, Series I. circa 1853-1854
Physical Description:
3.5 Linear Feet
2 boxes
The form and appearance of the ancient monuments of Greece and Athens, especially the Athenian Acropolis, have been in a state
of evolution since their initial creation. The monuments as we know them today are the product of extensive reconstruction
projects of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century after the severe 1894 earthquake, or of even more recent renovations.
Robertson's photographs provide a rare visual record of the early stages of archaeological work for which the written records
are often sketchy, and which has itself been removed or obscured by subsequent work. Specifically, Robertson's photographs
document the archaeological work of Kyriakos Pittakis, who became the ephor of antiquities in the summer of 1836 and remained
active until his death in 1863. The tenure of Pittakis as ephor was a period of intense archaeological activity. He was extremely
ambitious in both his demolition and his reconstruction efforts, and his controversial projects dramatically altered the appearance
of numerous monuments.
The limited details of Robertson's career, and internal evidence from the photographs themselves, suggest that all the photographs
of Greece in this collection were made sometime in the period from 1853 to 1854. Although Robertson probably made a second
trip to Athens in 1857, there is no evidence that any of the photographs in this collection are from the later trip.
The photographs of Greece, with the exception of the unmounted prints, bear signatures and numbering on the verso. Annotations
on the mounts record this information and its location.
Photographs of Athens, circa 1853-1854
box 1
West end of the Acropolis 2001.R.1-1
The photograph shows the west end of Acropolis shortly after the excavations of Charles-Ernest Beulé in 1852 and 1853. The
so-called Beulé Gate, the third century A.D. Roman gate to the Acropolis, is seen still embedded in the medieval fortifications,
as it would remain until 1888. Although most of the later construction had been cleared by this time, the Frankish Tower,
which was not demolished until 1875, still dominates the western end of the Acropolis. The Klepsydra spring, rediscovered
and refortified by the Greeks in 1822 during the War of Independence, is visible at the left of the photograph. This photograph
also records the damaged state of the podium of the northern wing of the Propylaia (the Pinakotheke) before the repairs of
1854.
"Signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 1"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Propylaia, central section from the west 2001.R.1-2
This photograph documents the general clearing of the Propylaia undertaken by Pittakis in 1836 and 1837. Later additions to
the building, including Frankish screen walls joining the columns and a Turkish vaulted roof over the central section, have
been removed and the interior of the building excavated.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson' on back, No 2"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Propylaia, north wing (Pinakotheke) from the southeast 2001.R.1-3
As excavations on the Acropolis progressed in the 1830s and 1840s, various structures were pressed into service as storage
depots for the antiquities. The north wing of the Propylaia, the Pinakotheke, was used for storage as early as 1833. By 1837
it had been set up as a sort of gallery for viewing the antiquities. This photograph shows sculpture fragments and architectural
elements displayed on a shelf-like structure on the porch. The photograph also records the damaged state of the western face
of the building's podium before the repairs of 1854.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson' on back, No 3"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Propylaia, central section from the east 2001.R.1-4
The eastern portico of the Propylaia was excavated by Pittakis in 1839. This photograph shows the line of delineation between
the excavated areas to the southeast of the Propylaia and the unexcavated areas to the northeast. Substantial remains of medieval
structures behind the north wing of the Propylaia are visible in the far right of the photograph.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed Robertson Constantinople on back, No 4"--annotation in pencil on the mount below
the image.
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Parthenon, from the northwest 2001.R.1-5
In the period 1842-1845, Pittakis reerected parts of the destroyed central sections of the north and south colonnades of the
Parthenon, as well as replacing blocks in the north and south walls. This photograph shows the completely restored ninth and
eleventh columns from the east on the north side, as well as several other partially restored columns. In this same period,
the small Turkish mosque, which was built inside the Parthenon at some point after the 1687 explosion and which had been used
for antiquities storage from 1837-1842, was demolished. The area between the Propylaia and the Parthenon, the foreground of
the photograph, had been cleared of the remains of Turkish houses in 1839, but a vaulted Turkish cistern remained at the west
end of the Parthenon and was used for antiquities storage at the time of the photograph. The low free-standing walls in the
foreground are constructed from sculpture fragments and architectural elements. Pittakis was very concerned about the unauthorized
removal of antiquities from the site and attempted to gather the numerous fragments dispersed over the Acropolis in an attempt
to protect them. In addition to securing pieces in various storage buildings, Pittakis tried to discourage pilferers by building
"walls" of these fragments.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "No 5, also signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Parthenon, from the west 2001.R.1-6
The west end of the Parthenon shows recent damage from the War of Independence; white scars from the bombardment stand out
against the darker patinated surface. The angle of this photograph also clearly shows the Late Roman damage to the west doorway.
The large gap between the lintel of the west door and its covering masonry would be filled in with a brick arch in repairs
in 1872. A large vaulted Turkish cistern sits at the base of the Parthenon. Used at the time of the photograph for antiquities
storage, the cistern would be torn down in 1856 and the rock-cut steps leading to the Parthenon revealed. This photograph
also shows the base of the tower built on the west porch in the early thirteenth century with blocks taken from the rear of
the Monument of Philopappos.
"No 6, signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Parthenon, from the southeast 2001.R.1-7
This photograph shows the partial reerection of columns and wall in the damaged central section of the south side of the Parthenon
undertaken by Pittakis in the years 1842-1845. Pieces of timber protrude from the southern corner of the structure propping
up the surviving section of the east pediment.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "No 7, Also signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Parthenon, from the northeast 2001.R.1-8
Marks from the roofs of small buildings, which until recently had abutted the Parthenon, are visible on the columns of the
east facade. The Parthenon's use as a Christian church is also evident in this photograph. Between the columns of the east
facade, the lower courses of the Christian apse, which were removed by 1862, are still visible.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Parthenon, interior from the southeast 2001.R.1-9
Fragments of architectural elements lay scattered across the floor in this photograph of the interior of the Parthenon. Slabs
of the Parthenon frieze found in the 1833 excavations sit propped against the north wall. Above this, the consolidation efforts
of Pittakis can clearly be seen in the brick lining used to reinforce the north wall. The damaged west door of the Parthenon
displays the Roman repairs but does not yet have the brick support arch added in 1872. Traces of Christian wall painting are
still evident, especially the roundels on the west wall in the area that was the baptistery.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "No 9, also signed 'Robertson Constant' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below
the image.
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Erechtheion, from the east 2001.R.1-10
Of all the structures on the Acropolis, the Erechtheion sustained the most damage in the War of Independence. During the war,
the north and south walls had been almost leveled by the beseiged garrison's search for lead-covered clamps. This photograph
of the Erechtheion records the clearing of the accumulated earth from the structure and the partial reerection of the building
carried out by Pittakis in the years from 1837 to 1840, especially the partial rebuilding of the damaged north and south walls.
The angle of this photograph shows the bricks used to replace the inner facing of the orthostats of the south wall. Also visible
in this photograph is the block resting askew on the architrave of the East porch. This block had been pushed out of the way
by Lord Elgin's men in the opening years of the 1800s and would not be set right until the large-scale restoration of the
building in the early 1900s. The remains of medieval structures behind the Pinakotheke can be seen through the columns of
the north porch.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on the mount below the image.
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Erechtheion, from the southeast 2001.R.1-11
The camera angle of this photograph of the Erechtheion provides a clear view of the exterior of the partially rebuilt south
wall, from the Caryatid porch to the east porch. Again the use of brick as an inner facing and support is visible on the wall
behind the partially rebuilt northeast anta.
"Signed Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 11 (See unmounted Dup – unsigned)"--annotation in pencil on the mount below
the image.
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Erechtheion, from the southeast 2001.R.1-12
The caption added to the mount of the previous photograph indicates that this photograph is a duplicate print, but this is
not the case. It is a print from a different negative. Although the camera angle remains the same, the shadows and the figures
in the photograph have shifted slightly and the photographs are different exposures. Robertson frequently reshot the same
scene varying the positioning and costuming of the figures.
"Robertson"--signed in negative, but not in Robertson's hand. "Erechtheum"--inscribed in foreground on negative. "No. 11
by James Robertson Constantinople"--annotation in pencil on verso of print.
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Erechtheion, north porch from the east 2001.R.1-13
The walled-in north porch of the Erechtheion had served as a powder magazine under the Turks. By the end of the war, bombardment
had caused the collapse of several columns and most of the roof. The north porch received little attention during Pittakis's
1837-1840 work on the building. The western columns were strengthened, including the addition of iron bands visible in the
photograph. The Archaeological Society conducted the primary work on the north porch in 1844-1845. The Society removed the
remains of the powder magazine and cleared the blocked doorway into the main part of the structure.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed Robertson on back, No 12 (Titled[)]"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
The image is labeled "Erechtheum, Tetrastyle Portico of the Pandroseum" in the foreground on the negative.
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Erechtheion, from the west 2001.R.1-14
Before the War of Independence, the west wall of the Erechtheion had been substantially intact, but by its end, after heavy
bombardment, only three of the semi-columns remained standing. In his 1837-1840 work, Pittakis consolidated these elements.
However, those last three columns were leveled by a huge storm, which hit Athens in October 1852. The absence of the columns
in Robertson's photographs of Athens provides a terminus post quem for his trip to Athens. From this camera angle, remains
of two Turkish buildings to the east of the Erechtheion are visible through the columns of the north and east porches. They
had been spared demolition, because they were being used for antiquities storage at this time.
"Robertson"-- signed in negative. "No 13"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Erechtheion, from the southwest 2001.R.2001-15
The photograph again shows the substantial damage to the west end of the Erechtheion. The angle allows a clear view of the
later mortared rubble structure overlaying the intact frieze course of the east side of the north porch. Also visible behind
the Erechtheion is the line of the north wall of the Acropolis with its medieval crenellated battlements still in place.
"No 14, Signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Erechtheion, south porch from the southwest 2001.R.1-16
In the early nineteenth century, the Caryatid porch of the Erechtheion suffered first from the attentions of Lord Elgin's
men and then the bombardments of the war. In his 1837-1840 work on the building, Pittakis did limited restoration on the porch,
reerecting one fallen caryatid and identifying pieces of others. The main restoration of the caryatid porch, however, was
conducted in 1846-1847 by the French architect A. Paccard and funded by contributions from France. Paccard reerected the caryatids,
including a replica of the one taken by Elgin, and did substantial rebuilding on the architrave and podium. In this photograph,
the newly carved blocks stand out whitely from their neighbors and patches of brickwork suggest Pittakis's hand. Robertson's
photographs of the Caryatid porch taken shortly after the Paccard restoration capture the monument before the addition of
wood and iron supports was deemed necessary to carry the architrave in the 1860s.
"Signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Temple of Athena Nike, from the east 2001.R.1-17
Just before the Venetian siege of 1687, the Turks demolished the Temple of Athena Nike. The krepidoma of the temple remained
substantially intact and most of the upper elements of the temple were built into the gun battery erected over the bastion.
In 1835 Ludwig Ross, the first ephor of antiquities, removed the Turkish bastion and Frankish fortifications covering the
western end of the Acropolis and found the remains of the temple. In 1835-1836, he reerected the temple, raising the north
and east sides as high as the architrave, while the two other sides were left half-finished. This was the first large-scale
restoration project on the Acropolis and had tremendous symbolic importance for the new nation. The reconstruction of the
building was completed to frieze level by Pittakis in 1843-1844. The angle of this photograph demonstrates the building's
use as a storage depot. The "sandal binder" slab from the parapet is visible through the central columns. This photograph
also appears to document an early, open stage in this use of the building. The gates erected across the front of the temple,
clearly visible in photographs of the 1860s, are not seen here.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Titled, No 16, also signed Robertson on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
Image labelled as "The Temple of Victory Apteros" in right foreground on negative.
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Temple of Athena Nike, from the southwest 2001.R.1-18
In the opening years of the 1800s, Lord Elgin's men had pulled four slabs of the Nike temple's frieze out of the bastion.
This photograph shows the installation of casts of these blocks on the north side of the temple in Pittakis's reconstruction.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 17"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Olympieion, from the southeast, with Acropolis in the background 2001.R.1-19
The gradual destruction of the Olympieion began as early as the third century A.D., when parts of the precinct wall were removed
for use in a new city wall. This use of the temple as a ready source of building stone continued throughout medieval and Turkish
times. By the early nineteenth century, the walls were completely gone and only 16 of the original 104 columns remained standing:
a group of 13 columns at the southeast corner and another line of three columns further along the south side. The central
column of this group of three fell in the massive storm that hit Athens in October of 1852.
"Signed 'Robertson' on back, No 18"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Olympieion, from the east 2001.R.1-20
The Olympieion was a favorite subject of artists and photographers in the ninteenth century. This popularity was due to the
preservation of the standing columns and the massive scale of the monument. Robertson's inclusion of human figures in the
composition dramatically emphasizes the impressive size of the temple. Also visible on the right side of this photograph is
the south slope of the Acropolis with the Thrasyllos Monument standing out sharply above the as yet unexcavated cavea of the
Theater of Dionysos.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson' on back, No 19"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Olympieion, from the southwest 2001.R.1-21
This photograph provides a clear view of the medieval structure, often refered to as the hermitage of a stylite, atop the
two southernmost columns of the main surviving group of columns in the southeast corner of the temple. This structure, which
may actually have been some sort of look-out tower, was removed in the 1870s.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed Robertson Constantinople on back, No 20"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Olympieion, from the west 2001.R.1-22
By the 1850s the Greek Archaeological Service was taking a more conservative approach to the care of the monuments. Whereas
archaeological monuments and remains had previously just been part of the fabric of the city, there was now a new concern
with controlling general public access to the antiquities. As can be seen in this photograph, the remains of the column that
fell in 1852, are fenced off and a guard house erected next to it.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed Robertson Constantinople on back, No 21"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Hephaisteion, from the southwest 2001.R.1-23
The Hephaisteion had remained substantially intact since antiquity due to its conversion to a Christian church in the seventh
century A.D. In 1834, by which time it was serving as the Church of St. George, the government took over the building for
use as the Central Archaeological Museum and it would remain the main museum in Athens until 1874, when the Akropolis Museum
opened. The building continued to be used as a storage depot until the 1930s. The Hephaisteion's role as a museum is indicated
in this photograph by the presence of a guardhouse in the pteroma and the scattering of antiquities, including a garland sarcophagus,
around the exterior of the building.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed Robertson on back, No 22"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Hephaisteion, from the southeast 2001.R.1-24
When the Hephaisteion was converted to a church in the seventh century, a vaulted ceiling was added, as well as an apse at
the end of the building. The angle of this photograph clearly shows the modification of the temple's roofline. The apse was
removed when the building was converted to a museum, thus this photograph shows the east end of the temple restored closer
to its original state. The statue standing on the south side of the building is a Nike excavated at Megara in 1841.
"Signed Robertson Constantinople, No 23"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Hephaisteion, from the northwest 2001.R.1-25
This photograph shows an early consolidation attempt on the northwest corner column of the Hephaisteion. In 1820, iron bands
were used to stabilize the column, which had been damaged when lightning struck the building.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 24"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Tower of the Winds, from the north 2001.R.1-26
The Tower of the Winds, the popular name of the Horologion of Andronikos, survived from antiquity substantially intact. It
was first converted to Christian use, and much later during the Turkish occupation, the partially buried building served as
a tekke or meeting place for dervishes. After the War of Independence, Pittakis cleared the accumulated earth from the inside
and the immediate area outside the monument in a series of investigations and small-scale excavations from 1838 to 1842. From
1843 to 1875, the building was used for antiquities storage.
Robertson's photograph shows a small clear area around the monument, but the adjacent area is still encumbered by late walls
and structures. The new mid-century concern with controling access to the antiquities and monuments is expressed by the fence
and the presence of the seated guard.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 25"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Tower of the Winds, from the west/southwest 2001.R.1-27
This photograph was taken from the unexcavated area to the west of the Tower of the Winds, as indicated by the high ground
level and the remains of a late wall.
"Signed 'Robertson Constant' on back, No 26"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Tower of the Winds, from the southeast 2001.R.1-28
Again, the high ground level in relation to the structure and the remains of the late wall indicate that Robertson shot this
photograph from an unexcavated area adjacent to the monument. The angle of this photograph also clearly shows the new bronze
sundial gnomons added in 1845-1846 to the sides of the monument just under the frieze.
"No 27, Signed 'Roberson (sic) Constant' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Tower of the Winds, from the south 2001.R.1-29
This wider-angle photograph of the Tower of the Winds places the monument in its context. The arches of the so-called Agoranomion
fill the left foreground and a large clock tower stands in the middle background. The clock was given to Athens by Ludwig
of Bavaria in 1848. It replaced the tower built by the city to house the clock given by Lord Elgin in 1814 as part of the
deal for the removal of the Parthenon sculptures. Elgin's clock was destroyed in the War of Independence. Ludwig's clock and
tower would be destroyed in a fire in 1885.
"Signed 'Robertson' on back, No 28"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Arch of Hadrian, from the west 2001.R.1-30
The Arch of Hadrian still shows traces of its post-Classical history in this photograph. Originally built as a free-standing
monument, the arch was eventually incorporated into the Turkish circuit wall, Haseki's Wall, in 1788 and used as a gate. The
attic or second story of the arch most clearly shows these later changes to the monument. The marble slabs blocking the central
arch were part of the original Roman design. However, the masonry blocking the side arches is either Christian, relating to
possible use of the second story as a chapel, or Turkish, related to the incorporation into Haseki's wall. These attic walls
fell in 1861.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constant' on back, Titled, No 29"--annotation in pencil on mount
below image. Image labelled as "The Arch of Hadrian with the Temple of Jupiter" in right foreground on negative.
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Lysikrates Monument, from the northwest 2001.R.1-32
The Lysikrates Monument, a choregic monument of 335/334 B.C., has remained visible throughout its history. In 1699 it was
built into the Capuchin monastery and served as a library reading-room until the monastery was destroyed in the War for Independence.
This photograph captures the monument shortly after it was freed from the rubble of the monastery in 1845. The damaged, but
substantially intact monument stands in a small cleared area. In the late 1860s the area of the monument was further cleared
and a small wall added in preparation for the visit of Empress Eugénie of France before the full restoration of the Lysikrates
Monument in 1876.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 31"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Gate of Athena Archegetis, from the southwest 2001.R.1-33
The Gate of Athena Archegetis, the western gateway of the Roman Agora, had been the only visible ancient structure in this
area in the early nineteenth century and would remain so until the excavation of the Roman Agora in 1890. Differences in the
patination on the right column and anta show where part of the gate had been built into the Church of the Sotira until the
mid 1840s.
"Robertson"--signed in negative. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 32"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Library of Hadrian, from the west 2001.R.1-34
Remnants of Turkish Athens are still visible in this photograph of the west facade of the Library of Hadrian, known in the
nineteenth century as the Stoa of Hadrian. A partial view of the Tzisdaraki mosque occupies the left side of the photograph,
and the foreground shows an array of market tables set up in front of the fenced-off facade of the Library. This area of Athens,
which had housed the Turkish bazaar, continued to serve as a market area in the liberated city. At the time of this photograph,
the Library of Hadrian served as a storage facility for antiquities.
"Signed 'Robertson' on back, No 33"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Areopagus, from the southeast 2001.R.1-35
The city of Athens can be glimpsed behind the rock of the Areopagus in this photograph. Yet, what is remarkable is how little
there is to see. At the right side of the frame, small, low buildings form the population nucleus north of the Acropolis,
but a seemingly empty landscape stretches off toward Mount Hymettos in the distance.
"Signed 'Robertson' on back, No 34"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Philopappos Monument 2001.R.1-36
Due to its prominent location on the Museion Hill, the Philopappos Monument has remained well-known since antiquity. The monument
has changed little since having been mined for blocks in the medieval period, suffering relatively minor damage in the Turko-Venetian
War and in the War of Independence. Robertson's photograph shows the graffiti-covered monument in generally the same state
as a variety of early nineteenth century depictions. Having been excavated and consolidated by the Archaeological Service
in 1898-1899, the Philopappos Monument appears substantially the same today.
"Robertson"--signed on print. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, (see unmounted Dup. unsigned), No 35"--annotation
in pencil on mount below image.
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Odeion of Herodes Attikos, from the southwest 2001.R.1-38
Only the upper stories poke out of the accumulated fill in this photograph of the Odeion of Herodes Attikos. The Greek Archaeological
Society excavated the Odeion in the period from 1848-1858. Robertson's photograph reflects an early stage in this work. At
the right of the photograph, the Turkish Serpentzes wall continues the southern line of the Odeion across the south slope
of the Acropolis. The wall was finally demolished in 1876 as part of the excavation of the Asklepeion.
"No 36, signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Gorgoepikoos 2001.R.1-39
The Church of the Panagia Gorgoepikoos, also known as the Little Metropolis, stands today adjacent to the Metropolis, the
cathedral of Athens. Under construction sporadically in the period from 1842 to 1862, the Metropolis is just out of frame
to the left, but it accounts for the various construction debris and piles of dirt visible in Robertson's photograph. This
photograph also documents changes to the Gorgoepikoos church itself. A bell tower added in the Turkish period had been removed
by the time of this photograph, returning the church to its original Byzantine form.
"No 37, signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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View of Athens with Palace and Acropolis, from Lycabettus 2001.R.1-40
Although the Acropolis hovers over the city in the background, the new buildings of Athens form the focus of this photograph.
The Palace of King Otto, now the Greek Parliament building, built from 1836 to 1843 fills the center of the scene, with the
newly planted Royal Garden, begun in 1837 and finished in 1862, spreading out behind it. The Palace was the first large-scale
building project in the city after independence and its Neoclassical style set the standard for the architectural development
of the city in the following decades. Also in the Neoclassical style and standing out from the smaller houses, the Dimitriou
Mansion, built in 1842, occupies the right side of the photograph. Later converted to the Hotel Grande Bretagne, this house
dominates the north side of Syntagma Square. In the foreground, the area of Kolonaki remains open fields.
"No 38, signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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View of Athens with the Acropolis and the Olympieion, from the southeast 2001.R.1-41
The old and the new Athens coexist in this view of the city and the Acropolis. The modernization and excavations of the 1840s
have left their mark in the form of the large dumps spreading down the south slope of the Acropolis. The excavation of the
Theater of Dionysos beginning in 1862 and the removal of the dumped earth in the mid 1870s would significantly alter the appearance
of the south slope. Yet the city of Athens still retains its Ottoman outline in this view. The houses appear to remain within
the lines of Haseki's Wall, which began to be demolished in 1834 in order to lay out the Boulevard of Queen Amalia. Also at
the base of the Acropolis, the Serpentzes wall is visible following the line of the Odeon of Herodes Attikos and the Stoa
of Eumenes.
"Signed 'Robertson' on back, No 39"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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View of the Hephaisteion, from the northwest, with the Acropolis in the background 2001.R.1-42
The composition of this photograph emphasizes the small size of Athens even in the mid 1850s. At this time, the city appears
to be only a small cluster of houses sheltering at the base of the Acropolis, with the entire foreground of the photograph
filled with plowed fields. The empty area of the Kolonos Agoraios had been a traditional gathering place for public festivities,
but by the end of the century a public garden and general urban development will fill much of this area. But for now, the
line of the wall of Haseki, built in 1778, is still clearly visible, running across the middle ground of the photograph just
to the west of the Hephaisteion.
"Signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, No 40 (see unmounted & unsigned Dup.)"--annotation in pencil on mount below image.
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Two Nikai leading an ox to sacrifice 2001.R.1-44
"Robertson"--signed on print. "Also signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back, Titled in Pencil, No 41"--annotation in pencil
on mount below image. "41 Alto Relievo in Temple of Victory"-- title in pencil on print.
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Relief sculpture from the Parthenon frieze
The earliest archaeological work in Athens after the War of Independence focused on the Parthenon. In the years 1833-1836
slabs of the Parthenon frieze, thrown from the building in the 1687 explosion, were excavated and recovered from later structures.
The following photographs are individual images of the ten slabs lined up along the north wall of the cella, which can be
seen in Robertson's photograph of the interior of the Parthenon. These close-ups of the sculpture often show the reinforcing
brickwork of the cella wall repairs in the background. This sculpture was moved to the Acropolis Museum in the mid 1870s.
The numbering used here for the frieze slabs is that of the revised Jenkins/British Museum system. Where pertinent, the older
Michaelis numbering is given in parentheses.
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North X, elders and North XXXVI (XXXI), riders 2001.R.1-46 and 47
Container Summary: 2 prints on single mount; 12.3 x 13.6 cm. and 11.9 x 14.1 cm., on paper mount 35 x 29.3 cm.
"No. 43, signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below each image. "43"--annotation in pencil on upper
print. "43. Frieze of the Parthenon"--annotation in pencil on lower print.
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North XXXIV (XXIX), riders and North XIX, apobates 2001.R.1-48 and 49
Container Summary: 2 prints on single mount; 12 x 13.8 cm. and 11.3 x 12.9 cm., on paper mount 34.5 x 28 cm.
"4, No. 44, signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below each image. "Frieze of Parthenon 43 3"--annotation
in pencil on upper print. "44 4"--annotation in pencil on lower print.
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North XXIII (XVII), apobates and North IV, youths leading sheep 2001.R.1-50 and 51
Container Summary: 2 prints on single mount; 11.4 x 12.7 cm. and 12.1 x 14 cm., on paper mount 34.7 x 28 cm.
"5, No. 45, signed 'Robertson' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below upper image. "43 5"--annotation in pencil on
upper print. "6, No. 45, signed 'Robertson Constantinople' on back"--annotation in pencil on mount below lower image."45 6"--annotation
in pencil on lower print.
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Photographs of Sounion
The remains of the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion had long served as inspiration for travelers and artists in Greece. The ruins
perched on the promontory above the sea had become an iconic image of Greece and neighboring Athens. The condition of the
ruins did not change appreciably during the nineteenth century until excavations began in 1870.
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Photographs of Corinth
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Temple of Apollo, from the west 2001.R.1-58
In early the 1800s European travelers to Corinth documented that the seven remaining columns of Temple of Apollo had been
incorporated into Turkish structures. Images and accounts from after the War of Independence, however, show these structures
gone, presumably destroyed in the fighting. Robertson's photograph captures the unexcavated remains of the temple within the
newly liberated Greek village. This situation would soon change. In 1858 a devastating earthquake led to the general abandonment
of the village, and initial excavations at the temple began in 1886. The modern building at the far left of the photograph
is most probably the so-called Capodistrias schoolhouse, covering a part of the northeastern end of the temple. The structure
at the right of the photograph with the signboard over the door has possibly been identified as the former governor's house,
then converted to a police station, or perhaps the "New Hotel of Great Britain."
"Signed 'Robertson Constant' on back, See unmounted & unsigned Dup, No 50 -- 1, N 1"--annotation in pencil on mount below
image.
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Photographs of Aegina
The standing architectural remains of the Temple of Aphaia on the island of Aegina had long attracted travelers. Robertson's
photographs record the temple's state of preservation after intervention in the early part of the century. In 1811 a party
of artists and architects including C.R. Cockerell and Baron Haller von Hallerstein had begun digging around the ruins and
unearthed the temple's pedimental sculpture, which was eventually sold to Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria.
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Photographs of Constantinople and Egypt, Series II. circa 1853-1857, undated
By the mid-nineteenth century, the eastern Mediterranean had grown to be an essential part of British economic and political
strategy, and as such became an object of interest for the British public. The Ottoman Empire was now Britain's ally and presented
an intriguing blend of East and West to the European viewer. Egypt also played a vital role in British access to India, while
retaining its important historical associations.
James Robertson is best known for his images of Constantinople. The few photographs of Constantinople found in this collection
are representative of his architectural studies of the city, capturing monuments dating from the Late Roman to the Ottoman
periods.
The two photographs of Egypt stand out from the rest of the collection in both technique and details. These two prints, and
the print of the Süleymaniye Mosque in Constantinople, are the only standard albumen prints in the collection. The photograph
of the Sphinx is a late work, bearing the joint signature of Robertson and Beato. Although the Beato portion of the signature
is cut off on this print, its presence is confirmed by other prints from the same negative. The thirteenth century Mamluk
Mosque of Baybars in Cairo is a more obscure monument. This unsigned photograph is not otherwise attested in the work of Robertson
or Felice Beato and may be by another photographer.
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Photographs of Constantinople, circa 1853-1857
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Süleymaniye Mosque, 2001.R.1-64 circa 1857
"Robertson & Beato photog."--signed in negative. "La Sulimanie"--annotation on print. "Cleaned & remounted 13/9/72 C. Cloney.
The Great Mosque of Saint Sophia (sic), Constantinople, by Robertson & Beato c. 1857"--annotation on back of mount.
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Photographs of Egypt, circa 1857, undated
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Sphinx, 2001.R.1-68 circa 1857
This photograph's mount bears the date "1862." Presumably this annotation refers to an acquisition date in this print's history.
The negative would have been taken during Robertson and Beato's trip to Egypt in 1857.
"Robertson & [ ]"--inscribed in negative. "Robertson & ?? Probably Beato"--annotation in ink and pencil on mount below image.
"1862"-- annotation in ink on mount below image.