Luxor Egypt – Colossi of Memnon and Temple Ruins 1817 Engraving

Description

This Luxor Colossi of Memnon engraving, published in 1817, depicts one of Egypt’s most recognisable ancient monuments within an expansive landscape of ruins and distant hills.

The two seated colossi stand prominently on the left, their decorated pedestals and imposing proportions contrasting with the small figures scattered across the plain. Travellers and mounted figures gather on the right, bringing movement to the scene. Dark foreground vegetation frames the view, while finely engraved horizontal lines create the broad sky above the monuments.

The Colossi of Memnon portray Pharaoh Amenhotep III and stand on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor, at the site of his mortuary temple. The print reflects the enduring interest in ancient Thebes and the illustrations through which European readers encountered Egypt’s monuments.

Its compact format combines architectural detail, landscape and human activity. An appealing addition to a collection of Egyptian views, archaeological prints or illustrated travel accounts.

Details

• Publication date: 1817.

• Location depicted: Luxor, ancient Thebes, Egypt.

• Subject: Colossi of Memnon and surrounding ruins.

• Engraver: Tardieu l’aîné.

• Medium: black and white engraving on paper.

• Sheet dimensions: 16.2 × 12.2 cm.

• Printed image dimensions: 12.3 × 8.7 cm.

• Orientation: landscape.

• Supplied unframed.