59 Dominique Vivant Denon (1747–1825) – View of Temple on Elephantine Island – Egypt – Engraving (1809)

This antique engraving is from the Dominique Vivant Denon’s ”Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte, pendant les campagnes de Bonaparte” (Journey in Lower and Upper Egypt during the Campaigns of Bonaparte). The work was published by Samuel Bagster in London, 1809.

This engraving shows the ruins of a temple on Elephantine Island in southern Egypt, near modern-day Aswan. The original French caption references “Elephantine” and two human figures positioned near the temple remains, offering a sense of scale and reverence. Rendered with Denon’s documentary clarity, the scene captures both architectural and emotional grandeur, reflecting the island’s importance as a sacred and strategic site in ancient Egypt.

The plate is part of Dominique Vivant Denon’s iconic Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte, a visual chronicle of Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt (1798–1801). The English edition, published in 1809 by Samuel Bagster in London, introduced European audiences to some of the earliest visual records of now-famous Egyptian monuments.

Dominique Vivant Denon (1747–1825) was a French artist, archaeologist, diplomat, and museum director. Personally selected by Napoleon to join the Egyptian expedition, Denon sketched monuments up and down the Nile and later became the first director of the Louvre. His engravings are foundational works in the history of archaeology and Egyptology.

Artist or Maker:

Dominique Vivant Denon

Dimensions:

48 cm x 30 cm

Medium:

Engraving

Date:

1809

Condition Report:

This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.