Born in Stockbridge, Scotland, David Roberts became one of the best known painters of Middle Eastern monuments and other sites. He first visited Syria and Egypt in 1838, and in February of 1839 began the series of drawing that would become world famous.
The painting shows, in the foreground, and archaic riverboat that for the most part, no longer sails the Nile. In the background are the pyramids of Dashour.

Currently Dashur is one of the best places to see large pyramids, because it has few visitors, yet is not a far drive from Cairo and includes one of the largest pyramids in Cairo, as well as the famous, evolutionary Bend Pyramid.