Accession Number
1989/1.47

Title
Pharoah's Bed, Island of Philae

Artist(s)
Antonio Beato

Artist Nationality
British (modern)

Object Creation Date
circa 1880

Medium & Support
albumen print on paper

Dimensions
11 7/16 in x 14 15/16 in (29.05 cm x 37.94 cm);18 1/16 in x 22 1/16 in (45.88 cm x 56.04 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. Howard Bond

Subject matter
This photograph of the temple called "Pharaoh's Bed" or "Trajan's Kiosk" depicts the most iconic structure within the Philae complex, a popular subject for mid- to late-nineteenth century travel photographers. Like Francis Frith, whose version of this subject is also in UMMA's collection, Beato depicts the Egyptian site from below so that the building emerges from a bed of palm trees and other plants in this fertile area on the Nile River. Beato, however, situates the camera somewhat closer to the structure than Frith or fellow photographers elected to do, such that the temple and its decorated columns are half-obscured by palm trees. The photographer seems less interested in conveying information about the archaeological site than in offering an impression of the picturesque environment at Philae.

Physical Description
View of an Egyptian temple and palm trees seen from below.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Ruins
archaeological parks
architecture (object genre)
capital
palm tree
ruins
temples (buildings)
travel photography