Procession at Memphis 18th century

Curator: This etching, "Procession at Memphis," thought to be by Michel François Dandré-Bardon, dating to the 18th century, transports us to a historically-inspired landscape. It currently resides here at The Met. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the overwhelming sepia tones. There’s an intriguing weight in this, a somewhat melancholic feeling perhaps amplified by the detailed linework creating such intricate figures and forms. Curator: It’s fascinating how the artist uses line to create depth and texture. Notice the cross-hatching technique, creating shadows that sculpt the figures and structures. Editor: Exactly, but this aesthetic presentation seems to be at odds with a more complex legacy, doesn’t it? An 18th-century artist depicting ancient Egypt. It speaks volumes about appropriation, cultural exchange, and colonialist interests shaping artistic narratives. How did Dandré-Bardon’s cultural background affect how he interpreted Memphis, and, even, what he chose to depict? Curator: I see it more as a formal dialogue. Consider the pyramidal shape, repeated in miniature and on a large scale—echoes that build a visual language based on geometrical structures, so fundamental to the Egyptian aesthetic and artistic interpretation. Editor: Perhaps. Yet shouldn't we ask whose voices are being centered in these depictions? Is Dandré-Bardon creating cultural understanding, or perpetuating exoticism? Curator: But the work itself, independent of the cultural conversation, is a sophisticated use of line. The arrangement of figures leads your eye. Notice the balance between light and shadow that is rendered through the linework—an elegant contrast to create mood. Editor: And while I can acknowledge this use of line, to ignore this work’s position as the interpretation of the culture it depicts seems dismissive. Can we, responsibly, ignore the politics inherent in a depiction such as this? Curator: It allows for multiple readings and provokes discussion! To observe how the past and present influence visual expression is what is valuable. Editor: Indeed. This work serves as a reminder of art's role not only in mirroring but also in actively shaping historical perceptions and continuing dialogues surrounding cultural representation.