Original gouache executed 1794 by good-listed neoclassicist painter and graphic artist of Italian origin Luigi Mayer , who travelled around Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Walachia,Syria, Palestine) and created a lot of rare topographical views from his journeys in 1776-1800. . His topographical views ( watercolours and gouaches) were base of many graphic series by different english publishers and etchers. Here is quotations from "The history of art " (http://www.all-art.org/history386.html) about Luigi Mayer:

"..Pre-Orientalism:Although Orientalism did not become a well-defined style until the 19th century, its roots can be traced to a general love of exotica in the 18th century. Artistic treatment of Eastern subjects took the form of charming, picturesque recordings of artists´ travels through Eastern countries, with scenes clearly refined to suit the tastes of a European audience. Of particular note is the work of the Swiss pastel painter and engraver Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-89). who painted women dressed in Turkish costume, paving careful attention to detail and displaying an unprecedented degree of sensitivity to the subject. After spending four years in Constantinople from 1738, Liotard even chose to retain the Turkish dress and beard that he had adopted while abroad. Another 18th-century artist to venture east was Luigi Mayer (c. 1755-1803), who travelled through the Ottoman Empire between 1776 and 1794, sketching and painting panoramic landscapes, ancient monuments, and the Nile and its surroundings..."

Reproductions after Mayer`s gouaches se under following link:http://www.allposters.com/-st/Luigi-Mayer-Posters_c74870_.htm

Literature: "General Artist´s Lexicon " by Thieme/Becker, F.v.Boetticher "Malerwerke des 19 Jahrhunderts".

Inscription: titled in Italian, signed and dated 1794 under image

Technique: gouache on paper. Original period gilt frame.

Measurements: only image w 11 3/4" x h 8 " (30 x 20,5 cm), image with fields and text w 14 1/4" x h 10 3/5" (36 x 27 cm), framed w 21 1/4" x 17 174" (54 x 44 cm)

Condition: in very good condition