Thebes. Memnonium. Details de la Statue Colossalle de Memnon. by THEBES) Jollois et Devilliers et al (del). Cain (sculpt) - Ca. 1820.

Paris.: Panckouke.. Ca. 1820.. Copper plate engraving (uncolored), sheet size approximately 18 1/4 x 24 1/2 inches. Good condition: 3/4 inch mended tear to mid upper edge, a couple of faint spots to lower left corner. Publisher's blindstamp at top right. Shown are front and profile views of a giant statue of Memnon with several decorative details. This very large, finely engraved image is plate 22 from Volume II of the Antiquities section of the monumental publication "Description de L'Egypte," which documented the research of the "savants" who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte's ambitious expedition to Egypt (1798-1801). The full title, translated into English reads "Description of Egypt, or the collection of observations and research made in Egypt during the Expedition of the French Army" hinting at the varied purposes of this foray into the Middle East. The European demand for information about Egypt and its glorious monuments led to the publication of two editions of the work, with engravings pulled from the same printing plates; this is from the second edition, uncolored as issued. .