107220 - Two columns at Luxor by FL Norden 1792.

Two columns at Luxor by FL Norden 1792. This copperplate engraving is from The Antiquities, Natural History, Ruins and Other Curiosities of Egypt, Nubia and Thebes by Frederic Lewis (or Ludvig) Norden. Printed for Edward Jeffreys, London 1792. The engraver was Martin Teuscher (aka Carl Marcus Tuscher). Norden was a captain in the Danish Navy and had studied drawing and engraving as part of his duties. He had spent nearly three years in Italy studying art when Christian VI of Denmark ordered him to go to Egypt in 1737 on an exploratory mission where he made drawings on the spot. He spent about a year in Egypt and was the first European to penetrate as far as Derr in Nubia and to publish descriptions of any Nubian temples. This was the earliest attempt at an elaborate description of Egypt, and its plates are the most significant prior to those by Denon. Size: approx 11.5in x 8.3in (29cm x 21cm) Some minor age related marks otherwisevery good condition