Chapel of the convent of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai Feby 21st 1839 / David Roberts, R.A.

Painting drawn at the narthex at the original 6th century CE inner door, looking east and showing the nave of the basilica. (A. Shams, Sinai Peninsula Research, 2018)
Saint Catherine Monastery was constructed between 530 and 545 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE). "The monastery's church is a basilica, 37 m long and 20 m wide, composed of a narthex, a nave and two aisles, narrow chapels flanking the aisles, two additional chapels on both sides of the central apse, and the site of the Burning Bush 'the chapel of the Transfiguration' to the east of the central apse. Six columns in each row supported the roof beams which were either common cypress or pine; sheets of led top the beams." (Uzi Dahari, 2000) It is believed the narthex was added during a later period after the construction of the basilica in 6th century CE. Each column has a calendar icon with the saints of the month. The basilica is rich with works of art given as gifts to the monastery by Kings and Tsars. The side chapels flank the basilica as follows (anti-clockwise from the western entrance): chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian (received martyrdom in 303 CE), chapel of Saint Simeon the Stylites (395-459 CE), chapel of St. John the Evangelist, the room of the holy vessels, chapel of the martyrs of Raitho (to the south the main apse), the main apse, chapel of St. Jacob, chapel of St. Antibas, chapel of Constantine and Helena (first half of 4th century CE), and the chapel of St. Mariana (6th century CE). The mosaic of the Transfiguration covers the apse. It is the most remarkable work of art inside the basilica and on par of Justinian's Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna in Italy. It covers an area of 46 square meters and made out of more than half a million pieces (11,700 pieces per square meter). Precious materials were used in its execution: gold/silver papers and glass paste. The entire basilica was restored between 1765 and 1787 CE and the dome was added in 1870 CE. The mosaic was restored by monk Samuel in 1847 CE, Ernest Hokins in 1959-1960 CE and the last restoration took place in 2005-2007 CE. (A. Shams, Sinai Peninsula Research, 2018)
Illus. in: The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia / from drawings made on the spot by David Roberts ... ; lithographed by Louis Haghe. London : F.G. Moon, 1842-1845, v. 3, pts. 16-18, p. 12.
Surrogate reference copy available in: The Holy Land / David Roberts. Tel-Aviv, Israel : Terra Sancta Arts, 1982, v. 5, pl. 108, p. 24-25.
Tooley, no. 111

Chapel of the Convent of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, Feby 21st 1839

Mount Sinai, Egypt

A depiction of the Chapel of the Convent of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, painted on February 21st, 1839.