Sfinx van Gizeh en de ingang van de piramide van Memphis 1803 - 1805

Curator: This engraving, titled "Sphinx of Giza and the entrance to the pyramid of Memphis", comes to us from Reinier Vinkeles and dates from around 1803-1805. Currently, it resides here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s fascinating how he captured these iconic monuments, don’t you think? Editor: It has a very clinical feel to it, almost like an architectural blueprint or an anatomical drawing. Devoid of any real… wonder. The people scaling the Sphinx just emphasize its objectification. Curator: Well, remember this piece was produced in an era when archaeological exploration was burgeoning, so its scientific style is, in part, a reflection of that! Editor: Scientific, yes, but also… appropriative. These weren't simply objects of study, they were deeply embedded in Egyptian culture and spirituality. Look at the way the figures are posed atop the Sphinx; they appear to be claiming ownership rather than observing or appreciating. Curator: I suppose the composition could be interpreted in that way, and I understand your reading of it. The sharp lines create a stark contrast, almost dividing the image into zones of light and shadow that highlight certain parts to scrutinize the ruins. However, I think it also speaks to the fascination Western society held with ancient civilizations. It represents a drive to know, to classify. Editor: I think the claim to knowledge is precisely the problem! Whose knowledge are we centering? Is it a drive for knowledge or a drive to assert dominance and continue practices of erasure of cultural heritage? The pyramid looks so… inert. A subject to be studied rather than a monument of a people. Curator: These are worthwhile concerns to consider while examining this piece of work. Looking at it in that way helps give us context of the social climate in that particular period. Editor: Precisely! Understanding how these images circulated then, and how they circulate now, is critical for addressing how power and representation continue to impact the present. Thanks for delving in further to the history of this engraving. Curator: And thank you for pointing out the importance of examining power dynamics in such work.