Palais de Karnak, Propylées du Sud; Thèbes Possibly 1849 - 1852

This photograph, “Palais de Karnak, Propylées du Sud; Thèbes,” by Maxime Du Camp, captures the ruins of the Karnak Temple in Thebes, Egypt. Du Camp, a French writer and photographer, traveled extensively in the Middle East in the mid-19th century and documented his journeys through his evocative photography. This image, likely taken between 1849 and 1852, showcases the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture, even in its dilapidated state. The photograph emphasizes the vastness of the site and the scale of the structures, with a foreground of sparse vegetation and a distant, hazy sky. Du Camp’s work played a significant role in popularizing photography as a medium for documenting and exploring the world. This image, now part of The Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, offers viewers a glimpse into the past and highlights the enduring impact of ancient Egyptian civilization.