East Entrance, Room of Tiberius, Temple of Isis, Philae 1905

Henry Roderick Newman made this watercolor painting of the East Entrance of the Temple of Isis at Philae. Newman's work allows us to consider the West's fascination with ancient Egyptian culture in the late 19th century. Philae, an island in the Nile, was a significant religious center dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple's architecture reflects a blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman influences, particularly during the Roman period. This intertwining of cultures speaks to the complex history of Egypt as a land traversed by many empires. Newman's choice of subject is no accident. During his time, archaeological discoveries piqued European and American interest in Egypt. The detailed rendering of hieroglyphics and stonework speaks to this fascination. To truly understand this work, we must delve into the art market of the time, and the politics of archaeological exploration. These historical resources provide us with a deeper understanding of the cultural dynamics represented in Newman's painting.