Page 199 - Features of an Era
P. 199
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Between Chronicling Events and Commemoration
An important aspect of the show is that a few presented artworks lead the recipient
to a direct connection to some significant historical moments most of which had an
undeniable impact on our modern Egyptian history, whether negative or positive. The
occurrence of some of them was an embodiment of the interaction of the Egyptian
internal affair with the external international affair; some of their repercussions
reflected on the general scene of the regional and global history when they occurred.
Here we find ourselves between artworks oscillating between the chronicling and
ceremonial commemorative qualities. That is what we see in a number of paintings
and sculptures in which the first quality is predominant to record some events
which are permanent in the memory of our modern history. On the other hand, the
commemorative quality appears in many medals which were part of acquisitions of
some members of Muhammad Ali’s dynasty; these medals in turn celebrate many
historical events and figures who played influential roles locally and globally.
Despite the predominance of one of these qualities on these paintings, sculptures
and medals mentioned, we can’t overlook the visual and aesthetic values they
enjoy and the artistic and design qualities that their innovators enriched, qualities
that deserve contemplation in themselves regardless of their chronicling essence or
commemorative purposes.
One of the chronicling paintings that the show exhibits, a painting chronicles the
moment of Khedive Tawfiq accession to the throne in June 26th, 1879. He puts his
right hand on a book bearing his name. A red velvet pillow is on its side; the crown
and the king’s scepter is on it.
The accession of Khedive Tawfiq to the throne, oil on canvas, 156 × 232 cm, by E. Billet, 1879.
199
Between Chronicling Events and Commemoration
An important aspect of the show is that a few presented artworks lead the recipient
to a direct connection to some significant historical moments most of which had an
undeniable impact on our modern Egyptian history, whether negative or positive. The
occurrence of some of them was an embodiment of the interaction of the Egyptian
internal affair with the external international affair; some of their repercussions
reflected on the general scene of the regional and global history when they occurred.
Here we find ourselves between artworks oscillating between the chronicling and
ceremonial commemorative qualities. That is what we see in a number of paintings
and sculptures in which the first quality is predominant to record some events
which are permanent in the memory of our modern history. On the other hand, the
commemorative quality appears in many medals which were part of acquisitions of
some members of Muhammad Ali’s dynasty; these medals in turn celebrate many
historical events and figures who played influential roles locally and globally.
Despite the predominance of one of these qualities on these paintings, sculptures
and medals mentioned, we can’t overlook the visual and aesthetic values they
enjoy and the artistic and design qualities that their innovators enriched, qualities
that deserve contemplation in themselves regardless of their chronicling essence or
commemorative purposes.
One of the chronicling paintings that the show exhibits, a painting chronicles the
moment of Khedive Tawfiq accession to the throne in June 26th, 1879. He puts his
right hand on a book bearing his name. A red velvet pillow is on its side; the crown
and the king’s scepter is on it.
The accession of Khedive Tawfiq to the throne, oil on canvas, 156 × 232 cm, by E. Billet, 1879.
199
