Artwork

Large Speos - View taken from the Sand Slope (Temple of Ramesses II), Abu Simbel

Large Speos - View taken from the Sand Slope (Temple of Ramesses II), Abu Simbel is a photography by the Impressionist artist Félix Teynard. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a large temple carved into a rock face, surrounded by desert and cliffs.
The artist took a unique approach by showing the temple in its natural context. This view is special because it no longer exists in real life, as the temple was relocated in 1968.
You can learn more about this type of photography by looking up the technique of chiaroscuro.

Overview

This photograph, titled 'Large Speos - View taken from the Sand Slope (Temple of Ramesses II), Abu Simbel', captures the Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel within its original desert and cliff landscape.

Subject & Meaning

Unlike other contemporary depictions of Abu Simbel, this image emphasizes the temple's integration with its natural surroundings, juxtaposing the colossal sculptures against the vast desert expanse and adjacent cliffs.

Technique & Style

The photograph employs a visually striking composition, potentially leveraging chiaroscuro techniques to highlight the contrast between the carved temple and the sun-drenched desert landscape.

History & Provenance

The depicted view is historically significant as it no longer exists in reality. The temple was relocated in 1968 to prevent submersion by the Aswan High Dam's reservoir, mirroring the relocation of the Philae temple complex.

Context

Captured by Teynard, this photograph stands out among works by his contemporaries (such as Maxime Du Camp and Antonio Beato) by prioritizing the temple's environmental context over its monumental scale alone.

Legacy

As a record of a lost landscape, the photograph serves as a valuable historical document, preserving the original setting of the Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel.