Architecture : colonne du Ramesseum (Thèbes) 1878

This watercolor, made by Émile Prisse d'Avennes, depicts a column from the Ramesseum in Thebes. D’Avennes was meticulous in his work, capturing the column's material qualities with precision. What stands out is the column's layered construction, which involves skilled labor. Each layer of this column, from base to capital, would have demanded a highly skilled artisan. The hieroglyphics covering the column would require a master stone carver, with the final application of paint being completed by a highly trained decorator. The column invites us to look beyond its surface and understand the processes behind its creation, the labor involved, and the cultural values embedded in its design.