Views on the Shores of the Mediterranean

External appearance and illustrations

The book Views on the Shores of the Mediterranean is 35 cm (width) x 54 cm (height). It features 24 hand-coloured lithographs from different parts of the Mediterranean shores. 20 of those lithographs were created entirely by hand.

Among others, Devereux drew pictures of landscapes and antiquities from the areas of:

• Philippi.
• Corfu.
• Thessaloniki.
• Halicarnassus.
• Telmessos.
• Palestine.
• Tunis.

A tour of the Eastern Mediterranean

The volume was published in 1847 by Commander Walter Bourchier Deveraux and was dedicated to Queen Victoria.

As the title suggests, Views on the Shores of the Mediterranean, the volume depicts the Mediterranean landscapes. The 24 hand-coloured lithographs show antiquities and, of course, the scenery in different locations in Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean locations.

An important historical source

The notable contribution of the Devereux publication was that it perceived the Mediterranean as a distinct geographical area. His approach is of great significance, since, even today, the Greek Revolution is being re-examined under this light.

An artistic military-man

Besides being a military officer, British Navy Commander Walter Bourchier Devereux (1810-1868) was also a painter and writer.

Aboard the vessel Snake, which he commanded between 1841-1845, he travelled the Mediterranean, recording different areas along its shores. The lithographs were created afterwards, based on his sketches.

In 1844 he accompanied Charles Alison to Halicarnassus. Alison was a member of the British Embassy in Istanbul. The purpose of the journey was to examine and record the sculptures in the Castle of Saint Peter.

During his stay in Halicarnassus, Devereux drew 7 plates with details of the local sculptures and reliefs. These are all included in the 1847 publication.

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