Memphis Egypt – Pyramids and Great Sphinx,Original 1817 Engraving

Description

Memphis, Egypt: an original antique engraving published in 1817, presenting a panoramic view of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx within the landscape of the ancient Memphite necropolis, now associated with the Giza plateau.

The original French title, “Vue des Pyramides de Memphis”, is printed beneath the image. Four pyramids rise along the distant horizon, while the Sphinx can be seen towards the left of the composition. Cultivated fields, roads, scattered buildings and desert hills extend across the foreground and middle distance.

A large expanse of sky dominates the scene. Its closely engraved horizontal lines create a striking sense of atmosphere and emphasise the geometric silhouettes of the pyramids. The contrast between the cultivated Nile valley and the ancient monuments standing at the edge of the desert gives this small print remarkable visual depth.

The engraving belongs to the Atlas du voyage d’Égypte et de Nubie by the Danish naval officer and explorer Frédéric-Louis Norden. Norden travelled through Egypt and Nubia in 1737-1738, recording monuments, landscapes, architecture and everyday life. His drawings and observations became an important visual record of Egypt before the development of modern Egyptology.

The historical name “Pyramids of Memphis” refers to the extensive pyramid fields and necropolises connected with the ancient capital of Memphis. The monuments represented in this view are associated today with Giza, making the engraving particularly appealing to collectors of Egyptian history, early travel illustration and archaeological views.

Details:

• Location depicted: Memphis and Giza, Egypt.

• Subject: pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

• Original title: “Vue des Pyramides de Memphis”.

• Publication date: 1817.

• Engraver: Tardieu l’aîné.

• After the travels and drawings of Frédéric-Louis Norden.

• Plate number: XIV.

• Medium: black and white engraving on paper.

• Sheet dimensions: 16.2 × 12 cm.

• Engraved image dimensions: 12.3 × 8.5 cm.

• Orientation: landscape.

• Supplied unframed.