Artwork
The Colossi of Memnon, Thebes
The Colossi of Memnon, Thebes is a photography by the Impressionist artist Antonio Beato. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1992.306
- Credit line
- John L. Severance Fund
About this work
Overview
The Colossi of Memnon, Thebes is a photograph by Antonio Beato, dating to circa 1864, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures two colossal, damaged stone statues of the Egyptian god Memnon, lacking heads and arms, set against a desert backdrop with rocky hills. A small figure between them conveys their monumental scale.
Technique & Style
While specific photographic techniques used by Beato in this 1864 work are not detailed here, the composition emphasizes the subjects' enormity and ancient, weathered state within their natural environment.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid-19th century, the photograph is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, with no detailed provenance of its journey to the museum provided.
Context
The photograph reflects 19th-century interest in Egyptian antiquities and the emerging practice of photographic documentation of archaeological sites.
Artist & collection
