1899.l.15(10)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View from the water's edge, looking up towards the hypaethral (open-roofed) structure known as the Kiosk of Hadrian, on the east side of the island of Philae, with a boat drawn up on the beach prominent in the foreground: 'The view is taken from beneath the Hypaethral Templ, which stands on the eastern side of the island. It is an unfinished edifice, bearing sculpture of the Roman period, although perhaps commenced under the Ptolemies. The river-front is 48 feet in width, and the length is 63 feet. It stands upon a platform of stone, forming a kind of quay, at the chief landing-place of the island. Its position is singularly picturesque. The platform affords an admirable base, above which the light forms of the temple rise with charming effect. The various composite capitals, although not in accordance with the best Egyptian style in themselves, and mixed together in violation of its principles, yet form so beautiful a whole, that it is impossible to wish that the building had been in purer taste. The two groups of palms afford an admirable study for the examination of those who would draw that most difficult of trees, in the representation of which artists have generally as completely failed as in that of the equally oriental camel. The boat moored beneath, with its dreamy sailors, is not less appropriate to the scene. It lies in a kind of little haven beneath the temple, a favourite place in the memory of all who have visited the Island of Isis...'