Egypt Receives the Light 

Wilhelm Kotarbinski created "Egypt Receives the Light," in the late 19th or early 20th century, presenting a symbolic encounter between ancient Egypt and a spiritual enlightenment. The image juxtaposes the imposing form of the Sphinx with ethereal figures of angels, suggesting a moment of transition or revelation. Kotarbinski, a Polish artist working at a time of intense national and cultural identity formation, may have been interested in the symbolic power of ancient civilizations. European culture looked back to a classical past as the foundation of its institutions. Egypt, then under British control, held a particular fascination, viewed as both a source of wisdom and a site of colonial exploitation. The ‘light’ in the title could signify not only spiritual awakening but also the imposition of Western cultural values. Careful historical research, including looking into colonial-era discourses about Egypt, can shed light on the complex meanings embedded in this image. Artworks are rarely straightforward reflections, but are active participants in the cultural conversations of their time.