Gezicht op de Kolossen van Memnon nabij Luxor, Egypte 1864 - 1867

This is a photograph by Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier, capturing the Colossi of Memnon near Luxor in Egypt. These imposing statues depict the pharaoh Amenhotep III in a seated posture, a symbol of royal authority and divine power. The seated pose itself is a recurring motif throughout history, evoking notions of stability and dominion. Consider, for instance, the seated Buddhas of Asia, each conveying enlightenment and inner peace through a similar posture. Such recurring postures tap into what we might call our collective consciousness. We are reminded that the act of sitting, seemingly simple, carries profound symbolic weight across cultures and ages. This image powerfully engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level as these monuments have withstood the ravages of time. The seated pharaoh is a testament to the cyclical nature of power, its rise, fall, and inevitable resurgence in different forms throughout history.