1-153-253 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Giant limestone statues of Rameses II, Temple of Rameses, Abu Simbel, Egypt, 1836. The reign of the Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II (ruled 1279-1213 BC) was notable for an upsurge in the rate of temple building. These massive statues are holding the crook and the flail, symbols of kingship. On the left each statue has the cartouche for Rameses carved on the right shoulder. A watercolour by Scottish artist David Roberts (1796-1864) dated 9 November 1836. Roberts travelled extensively in Egypt and the Holy Land. The sketches of the sites he visited on his journeys were lithographed by Louis Haghe, a prominent Victorian lithographer, and published in a book, which was hugely popular. From the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.