Reliëf van Seti die een offer brengt aan Horus en Osiris, Abydos 1888 - 1895

This photographic print by Jean Pascal Sébah captures a relief carving of Seti offering to the gods Horus and Osiris at Abydos in Upper Egypt. Made in the late 19th century, the image reflects a growing fascination with Egyptian antiquity amongst Western audiences. Photography played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge of ancient Egypt, making its monuments and artistic achievements accessible to a global audience. The carving itself depicts a scene of religious ritual, deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Egypt. Seti's offering reflects the importance of maintaining cosmic balance and ensuring the favor of the gods. Understanding this image requires considering both the ancient Egyptian context of the relief carving and the 19th-century context of its documentation and dissemination. By consulting archaeological reports, historical texts, and museum collections, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.