Interior of the Temple of Rameses II, Abu Simbel

By Thomas D Bland
English School, 19th century
Framed dimensions: 47 x 54 cm
Inscribed with title 'Interior of the Remeses II Temple - Aboo Simbnel' (lower left) and signed and dated 'T D Bland Jan 7th 68' (on the body of the colossal statue of Ramesses as Osiris).
 
Executed in pen and ink and watercolour, heightened with bodycolour and gum arabic, the study shows two figures, a local guide leading a 19th century tourist through the temple by torchlight.
 
Probably the most renowned of the numerous monuments moved as a result of the threat of flooding from the building of the Aswan High Dam. Between 1964 and 1968 the entire site of Abu Simbel was carefully dismantled to be reassembled 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from the river, now Lake Nasser.