Ruins of the great temple at Karnak, sunset 1845

David Roberts made this painting of the Ruins of the great temple at Karnak using oil paints. Roberts has built up layers of pigment on the canvas to depict the rough texture and warm, sandy hues of the ancient ruins in the Egyptian landscape. You can see the evidence of labor through his brushstrokes, particularly in the detailed depiction of the colossal structures and the figures scattered across the scene. By focusing on the worn and weathered materials of Karnak, Roberts asks us to consider the amount of time and work that went into its creation. The grand scale of the temple complex, and the small figures populating the scene, emphasize the contrast between human endeavor and the passage of time. Paintings like this were popular with European audiences, eager to learn more about ancient civilizations. So in a way, Roberts' painting is as much a document of archaeological interest as it is an artistic creation. Ultimately, by focusing on materials, making, and the socio-cultural context, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork's meaning and significance.