All Through Egypt Every Man Burns a Lamp 

Curator: The work before us is titled "All Through Egypt Every Man Burns a Lamp," attributed to Arthur Rackham. It's executed in a mixed media of ink, colored pencil and watercolor on paper. Editor: Instantly, I'm drawn into this mysterious scene – it's like a dream you can't quite grasp. The hazy lights, the cats slinking everywhere, it’s a little spooky but utterly bewitching, right? Curator: Indeed. Rackham’s illustrations often weave together elements of the fantastic with a nod to literary tradition, and here we see him engage with the cultural imaginary surrounding ancient Egypt, especially its connection to magic and mystery. This particular title is taken from the Bible’s Book of Exodus and is associated with death, magic and the power of the pharaoh. Editor: Pharaohs and death always made for good inspiration in those days. What's particularly fascinating to me are the cats. There must be a hundred of them padding around—do you think they're meant to symbolize anything specific here, beyond the obvious association with Egypt? Curator: Cats held a revered position in ancient Egyptian society; they were associated with the goddess Bastet, a protector of the home and of women. Given the rituals involving light we see here, with everyone tending to what seems to be small lamps and given Rackham’s engagement with esoteric and occult themes, their presence adds an additional layer of symbolism connecting these ancient Egyptian symbols to contemporary British spiritual movements and their practices. Editor: Oh, I see! And those smoky, ethereal lamps create such an eerie atmosphere. I almost want to step into the scene and stir it a little bit…but maybe I would burn my fingers. Curator: Perhaps that’s part of Rackham’s intent: to evoke the tantalizing allure of hidden worlds. Editor: Well, he definitely got to me. I would have to say the work creates a longing to unearth secret rituals and embrace the uncanny...but for now I will settle with enjoying the strange beauty of his creation. Curator: Yes. Rackham's work certainly serves as a reminder of how historical and cultural symbols can transform when reimagined through an artistic sensibility.