Study of  the 'Small Temple, Aboo Simbel'

English School, 19th century
Dimensions: 27.2 x 38 cm
Framed Dimensions: 39 x 51.5 cm
 
Study from the sketchbook, 'Sketches in the East', of 'J.D.T', an as yet unidentified English watercolour artist. A view of the facade of the Small Temple or temple of Hathor and Nefertari at Abu Simbel. On either side of the portal are two statues of Ramesses II, one wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and the other the double crown. These are flanked by statues of the king and his chief consort, Nefertari, uniquely in Egyptian art depicted of equal size, both standing more than 10 metres high.
 
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.
 
Titled 'Small Temple, Aboo Simbel' and dated '4 Jan 1862', bottom left corner.