The Great Pyramid and The Great Sphinx 1858

Francis Frith's 1858 photograph, "The Great Pyramid and The Great Sphinx," is a striking example of 19th-century travel photography. The image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, captures the grandeur of the ancient Egyptian monuments against a stark desert landscape. Frith's keen eye for composition positions the colossal pyramid and the enigmatic sphinx in a visually compelling arrangement, drawing the viewer's gaze across the vast expanse of sand. The use of a large format camera results in a clear and detailed image, revealing the intricate stonework of the pyramid and the weathered features of the sphinx, making it a valuable record of these iconic structures.