The steamer Dessoug with the obelisk on board ready for departure from Alexandria 1880

This monochrome photograph captures the steamer Dessoug in Alexandria, laden with an obelisk. The obelisk, a potent symbol of Egyptian power and religious belief, dominates the composition. These monolithic forms were deeply embedded in the Egyptian psyche, believed to house the spirit of the sun god Ra, linking the earthly and divine realms. But the image transcends its immediate subject. We see the obelisk not just as a marker of ancient authority, but also as a trophy being transported across the seas, a silent witness to the shifting tides of power and cultural exchange. Think of the obelisks that dot Rome, echoes of past conquests, standing as enduring symbols of domination. The act of transporting such a monumental object speaks volumes, reflecting a desire to possess not just the physical artifact but also the cultural and historical weight it carries. This transfer triggers deep-seated psychological responses, revealing a complex interplay of admiration, appropriation, and perhaps even a subconscious attempt to connect with the past, to harness its power for the present.