The Hypaethrae Temple at Philae - ideal for enhancing a travel-inspired decoration - David Roberts, Egypt and Nubia 1838

Color lithograph: The Hypaethrae temple at Philae, called the Pharaoh's bed

The Hypostyle Temple of Philae, nicknamed "Pharaoh's Bed," is a captivating masterpiece located on the island of Philae. This elegant temple, measuring sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide, is designed to provide a striking visual effect when viewed from the Nile. Its five columns on each side and four columns at each end are flanked by doors opening onto the great temple to the west and the Nile to the east. Surrounded by walls that reach two-thirds the height of the columns, it features an elongated architecture, adding to its visual appeal from the river.

Inside, the absence of a cornice and adjacent structures suggests that this temple may have had an independent function, perhaps even as a burial place for Osiris, according to Egyptian tradition. David Roberts, whose engravings brilliantly illustrate this monument, has captured the majesty of this roofless temple, offering breathtaking views of the stars at night, enchanting modern and ancient visitors alike. Perfect for enriching an art collection or decorating a space with a touch of ancient grandeur, this temple remains a fascinating testament to Egyptian splendor.

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.