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Pharaoh's Bed, Island of Philae, 1857

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y30214A/19

Scope and Contents

232 x 159 mm. A view showing the tall and magnificent ruins of the temple with a Nile-boat moored at the left of the print. Frith comments: 'Philae is the most beautiful thing in Egypt; and the temple, absurdly called Pharaoh's Bed, is the most beautiful thing upon the island. I flatter myself, too, somewhat upon the quality of my photograph, - light transparent shadows [always difficult to achieve in the harshness of the Egyptian sun], sweet half-tones, oh discriminating public! It is true that the temple outdoes the Tower of Babel, not only 'reaching unto the heavens', but robbing the picture of well-nigh all its sky - that feature so essential to the picturesque in landscape. But what could I do? I must give that scrap of water, and the Nile boat (a favourite anchorage for travellers' dahibieths, this nook), and I could not falsify the height of the bank, as I see most artists have done to suit the proportions of my picture.'

Dates

  • Creation: 1857

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Fair condition, some fading in from edges.

General

WS.

Originator(s)

Frith, Francis, 1822-1898, photographer

Finding aid date

2004-07-01 11:39:55+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom