Artwork

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: Colossus in Front of the Temple at Wady Saboua, Nubia

Egypt and Nubia, Volume II: Colossus in Front of the Temple at Wady Saboua, Nubia is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1847, this lithographic print portrays a massive stone figure standing before a temple doorway in the Nubian locale of Wadi Saboua. The composition is populated by several robed figures, some seated, others standing, who observe the statue and each other, emphasizing the monument’s scale against human presence.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a bearded male statue, clad in a skirt and necklace, embodying the typical iconography of ancient Nubian or Egyptian deities or rulers. The surrounding individuals, dressed in simple robes with head coverings and one bearing a spear, suggest a scene of ritual observation or reverence.

Technique & Style

Executed by lithographer Louis Haghe, the work combines precise line work with delicate watercolor washes, characteristic of early Victorian printmaking. The light background enhances contrast, allowing the colossal statue and the clustered figures to dominate the visual field.

History & Provenance

Louis Haghe, a Belgian‑born British artist, co‑founded the London lithographic firm Day & Haghe, noted for its high‑quality reproductions in the 19th century. This print forms part of the “Egypt and Nubia” series, which documented monuments of the region for a European audience.

Context

Produced during a period of heightened European interest in Egyptology, the image reflects Romantic-era fascination with ancient civilizations. The series aimed to disseminate visual knowledge of Egyptian and Nubian sites, aligning with contemporary scholarly expeditions and publications.