Obelisk of Heliopolis. 1839. 1846 - 1849

David Roberts created "Obelisk of Heliopolis" in 1839 as a lithograph, a medium that democratized image-making, fitting for an era grappling with shifting power dynamics and colonial expansion. Roberts, a Scottish artist, was part of a wave of European travelers who found fascination in the “Orient.” Here, the obelisk, a symbol of ancient Egyptian power, is rendered with careful detail, reflecting the Western gaze upon a land and culture perceived as both exotic and in decline. The figures at the base of the obelisk, presumably local inhabitants, are dwarfed by the monument. There's an undeniable tension in this image: the grandeur of a past civilization viewed through the lens of a present-day colonial power. Roberts’ work invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between cultural admiration, historical appropriation, and the power dynamics inherent in representation. It’s a reminder that how we see, and what we choose to depict, is always shaped by our own position in the world.