Artwork

Egypt and Nubia: Volume II - No. 4, Fragments of the Great Colossi, at the Memnonium

Egypt and Nubia: Volume II - No. 4, Fragments of the Great Colossi, at the Memnonium is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis Haghe. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1838 lithograph by Louis Haghe, a Belgian-born British artist, is part of the *Egypt and Nubia* series, which captures Egyptian and Nubian monuments during a surge in European interest in antiquities.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the fragmented remains of colossal statues at the Memnonium, highlighting 19th-century archaeological documentation practices and evoking themes of decay and neglect amidst ancient grandeur.

Technique & Style

Haghe's training in watercolor and lithography is evident in the work's execution. The piece embodies Romanticism through its dramatic, emotive portrayal of nature and antiquity, characterized by cloudy skies and scattered ruins.

History & Provenance

Created in 1838, the lithograph was produced by Day & Haghe, a prominent London firm co-founded by Haghe, known for early Victorian lithographic printing.

Context

The work reflects the growing European fascination with ancient Egyptian and Nubian sites during the 19th century, contributing to the broader archaeological and artistic trends of the time.