The Hypaethral Temple

The Hypaethral Temple at Philae, Called The Bed of Pharaoh by Louis Haghe

(Engraved after a drawing by David Roberts)

Description: "The Hypaethral Temple at Philae, Called The Bed of Pharaoh" is a lithograph engraved by Louis Haghe, based on a drawing by David Roberts. Created in the mid-19th century as part of the Egypt and Nubia series, this artwork depicts the small but striking hypaethral (open-air) temple located on the island of Philae, known locally as "The Bed of Pharaoh." The temple, which is actually the Kiosk of Trajan, is a Roman-era structure dedicated to the goddess Isis, characterized by its twelve graceful columns topped with elaborate floral capitals. The composition shows the temple standing against the backdrop of the Nile, its columns partially reflecting in the calm water, with distant palm trees and rocky hills surrounding the scene.

Louis Haghe's lithograph employs a subtle range of colors, including soft grays, blues, and earth tones, to emphasize the texture of the stone and the gentle play of light across the temple's facade. His meticulous technique captures the delicate carvings and the elegant proportions of the structure, bringing out its ethereal beauty and the serene atmosphere of its riverside location. "The Hypaethral Temple at Philae, Called The Bed of Pharaoh" exemplifies Haghe's mastery in translating Roberts' Romantic vision into a work of art that combines architectural accuracy with a sense of historical grandeur.

Details:

• Location and Date Created: Philae, Egypt, mid-19th century (1846-1849 as part of the Egypt and Nubia series).
• Medium: Lithograph.
• Full Artwork Name: The Hypaethral Temple at Philae, Called The Bed of Pharaoh.
• Artwork Style: Orientalism, Romanticism.
• Subject/Topic: A depiction of the Kiosk of Trajan at Philae, known as "The Bed of Pharaoh," highlighting its open-air architecture and its setting along the Nile.