Scotsman and prominent Orientalist painter, is especially known for a prolific series of detailed prints of Egypt and the Near East, produced during the 1840’s from sketches made while touring the region (1838–1840).
In August 1838, Roberts sailed to Egypt, intending to sketch drawings that he could later use for paintings and lithographs. Egypt was much in vogue then, and enthusiasts of antiquities were keen to buy works inspired by the East, [including the great monuments of ancient Egypt]. Roberts extensively toured Egypt, Nubia, the Sinai, the Holy Land, Jordan and Lebanon, returning with a vast collection of drawings and water color sketches.
Once back in Britain, Roberts worked with lithographer Louis Haghe to produce the lavishly illustrated Sketches in the Holy Land and Syria, 1842-1849, and the Egypt & Nubia series. Subscribers to his work included Queen Victoria of England; her complete set is today in the Royal Collection.

Connie Kind Shishkoff was born in 1947 into a reform Jewish family in Philadelphia. From her earliest years, throughout her childhood, and on into university she drew and studied art. She married Eitan Shishkoff when they were 21; and for the next six years they were hippies in the mountains of New Mexico, living simply and close to the land, seeking purity and truth. Eventually, their search was rewarded in the discovery of their Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.
Twenty years later they moved to Israel with their 4 children. Now that the children are grown, Connie is excited to explore her adopted country through art. Eitan is the founding pastor of the Tents of Mercy network of congregations. They have nine grandchildren and live in Northern Israel, near Haifa.