Who painted Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel?

Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel was painted by Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds in 1818.

Where can I see Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel?

Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel?

Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel is associated with Orientalism.

Artwork

Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel

Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds , 1818

Excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel is a watercolor work on paper by the Orientalist artist Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This watercolor was made on the spot in 1818, when the temple was buried under sand up to the necks of the statues.

You see workers in loose white shirts and red sashes digging around two giant stone faces carved into a cliff.

This watercolor was made on the spot in 1818, when the temple was buried under sand up to the necks of the statues. The artist, a French engineer, had to sketch fast before the sun moved and changed the shadows. He included tiny European visitors in top hats to show how big the statues really were.

Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more early travel sketches like this.

Overview

This watercolour depicts the excavation of the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, created during an expedition in 1818-19.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows workers constructing a palisade to keep back encroaching sand from the temple facade, with giant stone statues partially buried.

Technique & Style

The artist, likely a French engineer, worked quickly on the spot to capture the scene before changing light conditions, using the inclusion of tiny European figures in top hats to convey the scale of the statues.

History & Provenance

The watercolour was made during an expedition led by Henry Salt, British Consul-General in Egypt, with the artist, possibly Linant, accompanying the party.

Artist & collection

Artist

Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds

Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds better known as Linant Pasha was an explorer of Egypt and, as the chief engineer of Egypt's public works, 1831–1869, an influential engineer of the Suez Canal.

Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.