Pompey's Column in Alexandria of Egypt, No. 4, ca. 1860 – 1870

Blatt: 31.8 x 23.9 cm
Gesamtmaß: 45.8 x 37.8 cm

Physical Description: Albumen print mounted on cardboard

Inventory Number: St.F.568

Acquisition: Ancient holdings. Acquired in the 19th century

Status: Not on display

Texts

About the Work

The imposing Roman triumphal pillar rises above the Alexandrian countryside. Considering the architectural force exuded by the monument at the centre of the picture, the group of people at its bottom is hardly noticeable – and yet it is indispensable for the composition. The man keeping the two horses serves as a marker of the relative dimensions of the edifice; his garments conform to the European idea of the Orient. In the late 1850s Hammerschmidt settled in Cairo and was among the most popular German photographers in Egypt.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Pompey's Column in Alexandria of Egypt, No. 4

Photographer

Wilhelm Hammerschmidt

Period Produced

19th century

School

Object Type

photograph

Physical Description: Albumen print mounted on cardboard

Material

Technique

albumen print

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Signiert recto unten rechts auf der Fotografie: W. Hammerschmidt N. 4
Bezeichnet recto unten Mitte auf dem Trägerkarton: Druckschriftzeile: Coloune de Pompée à Alexandrie d'Egypte

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Photographic Collection

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Ancient holdings. Acquired in the 19th century

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Associated Persons and Institutions

Diocletian (Roman emperor)

Iconclass

Primary

48C1 architecture
25I1 city-view in general; 'veduta'
61F(POMPEIUSSÄULE (Alexandria, Egypt)) names of historical buildings, sites, streets, etc. (POMPEIUSSÄULE (Alexandria, Egypt))
48C161 column, pillar ~ architecture
61E(ALEXANDRIA (Egypt)) names of cities and villages (ALEXANDRIA (Egypt))