Egypt, Faiyum, Obelisk of Begyg, Fourier, 1817, Fayoum

View of the Obelisk of Begyg (Begig) in Fayoum (Faiyum), Egypt, showing detailed view of the monument's structure and inscriptions and a view of it´s location just outside of the town.

Faiyum (/faɪˈjuːm/ fy-YOOM; Egyptian Arabic: الفيوم, romanized: el-Fayyūm, locally [elfæjˈjuːm])[a] is a city in Mid Northern Egypt. Located 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Cairo, in the Faiyum Oasis, it is the capital of the modern Faiyum Governorate. It is one of Egypt's oldest cities due to its strategic location.

View made by Fourrier and published in ´Description de l'Égypte, ou Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française, publié par les orders de Sa Majesté l'Empereur Napoléon le Grand´, Paris, 1817

The French mathematician and physicist Joseph Fourier played a pivotal role in the monumental Description of Egypt. As secretary of the Institut d'Égypte, he wrote the historical preface and directed the collection of scientific data during the Napoleonic campaign.

Fourier's involvement in this encyclopedic work was structured around three main areas: Direction and organization: In Egypt, Fourier supervised the scientific commissions and organized the workshops necessary for the expedition. He also oversaw the publication of the volumes. The historical preface: He wrote the major introduction that bridges the gap between the military expedition, the achievements of the era, and the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Contents of the volumes: The entire work brings together thousands of engravings and texts classified according to several themes: Antiquity, the Modern State, and Natural History.

Good condition. Some small repairs in the lower part, some light staining on the right and the bottom, sheet trimmed slightly. Otherwise very good. Never folded. Thick paper, clear print, sufficient margins.

Image (printed area) 40x48cm, sheet 46x59cm