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Pharaoh’s Bed, Island of Philae

Francis Frith

Artwork Details

Pharaoh’s Bed, Island of Philae
1857
Francis Frith
albumen print on paper
12 3/16 in x 16 7/8 in (31 cm x 42.9 cm);14 in x 18 in (35.56 cm x 45.72 cm);12 3/16 in x 16 7/8 in (31 cm x 42.9 cm);6 5/16 in x 9 in (16.1 cm x 22.8 cm)
Gift of Frederick P. and Amy McCombs Currier
1988/1.97.1-2

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Description

Subject Matter:

This image depicts the Kiosk of Trajan, commonly called the Pharaoh's Bed, on the Egyptian island of Philae, above the Nile River. The structure has fourteen columns with carved floral capitals and the interior is decorated with carvings of Trajan burning incense before the Egyptian gods Osiris and Isis. The landscape, spotted with palm trees and other plants, offers a sense of the fecundity of the Nile River Valley, a thematic and visual contrast with the ancient mortuary architecture.

Physical Description:

An open-air brick structure with columns on all four sides sits atop a small plateau surrounded by flora above the shore of a body of water.

Usage Rights:

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