Medinet Habu, Thebes - ideal for an immersive and scholarly atmosphere - David Roberts, Egypt and Nubia 1838

Color lithograph: Medinet Habu, Thebes

Discover the fallen majesty of Medinet Abu, a fascinating site located on the west bank of the Nile, in the heart of ancient Thebes. This historic site, enveloped in a vast expanse of ruins and mounds of earth, bears witness to the former importance of this great city. The engraving illustrates the remains of the Temple of Medinet Abu, whose structures have been transformed and partially covered by later Christian constructions, whose remains of dwellings have almost concealed the ancient sacred stones.

The visible portico, built partly with materials from older temples, provides access to a smaller temple erected by a later pharaoh. To the left stand the ruins of the ancient palace of Ramses IV, whose windows adorned with domestic carvings offer a glimpse of ancient Egyptian customs. In the background, the ruins of the great temple are dominated by Christian buildings and houses, which today give way to a desolate setting. This captivating site, nestled at the base of the Libyan mountain range and dotted with ancient tombs, is ideal for history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts, bringing a touch of antiquity and grandeur to any space.

Reproduction of an engraving of a drawing by David Roberts (1796-1864) made during his three-month journey from Alexandria to the temple of Abu Simbel in Nubia, a journey of more than fifteen hundred kilometers.

His drawings were already the subject of considerable success during his lifetime, in particular those published between 1846 and 1849 in the form of three volumes, published in London by FG Moon and entitled Egypt and Nubia, made from the drawings and sketches made during this trip to the banks of the Nile during the winter of 1838-1839, and lithographed by Louis Haghe.