Fragment of the Great Colossi at the Memnonium, Thebes. 1846 - 1849

This is David Roberts' "Fragment of the Great Colossi at the Memnonium, Thebes," a watercolor that captures the grandeur of ancient ruins against a pale sky. The composition is split between architectural remnants on the left and fragmented colossal sculptures on the right, each set framed by human figures. Roberts uses a limited palette of earth tones punctuated by the bright clothing of the present-day inhabitants. The ruins are depicted with detailed line work and the sculptures are massive yet fragmented, evoking themes of decay and the passage of time. This rendering offers a post-structuralist commentary on cultural memory. The scale contrast between the figures and the ruins emphasizes the insignificance of the present against the backdrop of a fallen civilization, highlighting how historical narratives are constructed and constantly reinterpreted. The ruins act as signifiers, destabilizing any fixed meaning of the past. Through this lens, Roberts prompts questions about historical and cultural representation.