Zuilen bij de tempel van Dendera before 1862

Curator: Let’s take a look at this photograph by Francis Frith, taken before 1862, titled "Zuilen bij de tempel van Dendera," which translates to "Columns at the Temple of Dendera". It’s a gelatin silver print, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Right off the bat, I’m struck by the sheer age radiating from this image. You can almost smell the desert dust, can't you? And that column… it's weathered stories. Curator: Absolutely. Frith was a pioneer in capturing these ancient sites. This print, documenting the Temple of Dendera, offers insight into how these monuments were perceived and documented in the 19th century. It reflects the European fascination with Egypt and its history at that time. Editor: I wonder what it was like standing there, trying to frame such immensity with that primitive camera. Must've been a spiritual experience colliding head-on with technological ambition! Curator: Indeed. And it highlights the colonial gaze, right? These photographs weren't just about documentation; they were about possessing an image, and by extension, a part of history. The distribution of such images also created an increased awareness of this style. Editor: That makes me think...how much did the Western art world adopt ideas, techniques even aesthetics directly from Egyptian forms after this wave of discovery? There is an obvious nod to antiquity in so many Beaux-Arts designs. Curator: Precisely! Egyptian motifs became incredibly fashionable, impacting everything from architecture to decorative arts. But Frith’s work is also valuable on its own merits, despite that complicated history. His skill in capturing light and form creates an enduring record. Editor: Makes me feel I should head to a quiet spot in this museum and conjure my best interpretation, or even visit it to stand in the place the photograph was shot from. These aren't just columns; they are the skeleton of ancient belief systems. Curator: Well said. It makes you appreciate how deeply embedded within world history Ancient Egyptian art is.