Thebes. Medynet-Abou. Vue des Propylées du Temple et du Pavillon, Prise du Côté du Sud. A Vol. II. Pl. 3

Déscription de l‘Égypte
Second edition, so called «Édition Panckoucke» (1820-1830)
Size: 110 x 71 cm
Several small tears on the edges.

Order No.: N_04
Status: available
Price: 1 250 € (excl. VAT)

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This sheet stems from the second edition of the Description de l‘Ègypte which was dedicated to King Louis XVIII. It contains a preface by the publisher as well as the ordinance of the king who authorizes its publication..
On each page an embossing stamp is affixed representing a Sphinx surmounted by an obelisk with the inscription: «Description de l’ Égypte 2ème éd. Publié par Panckoucke»

About the Description de l‘Ègypte:

The French military campaign launched by the Directory in April 1798 is accompanied by a scientific expedition that Bonaparte, at the head of the adventure, wishes to inscribe in the line of those of Louis-Antoine Bougainville or James Cook. In July, mingling with the ranks of the Orient army, the members of the Commission for Science and Arts were landed on the Alexandrine coast. During the four years of the Egyptian adventure, this heterogeneous troupe of more than one hundred and sixty scientists is seen alongside men of various trainings and specialities.

From day one, they undertake a thorough and comprehensive study of a country they already believe they know, through the stories of the travellers who preceded them. The years spent in Egypt allowed the harvest of a formidable harvest of herbers, papyrus, minerals, naturalized animals, notes, plans, drawings and sketches.

The idea of a collective work was born from the moment of landing but was actually concretized in November 1799 under the impetus of General Kléber, who fixed the main lines: "to collect to spread the instruction, and to contribute to the raising of a literary monument, worthy of the French name". After the assassination of the latter in June 1800, his successor, General Menou, took over the torch but gave a new dimension to what now received the title of «grand ouvrage sur l’Égypte», placing it directly under the aegis of the Republic.

At the end of 1801, the banks of the Nile gave way to the banks of the Seine; a new adventure began, an editorial, that of the Description of Egypt. It will continue for almost 30 years.

(Translated from: La Description de l'Égypte by Julie Garel-Grislin, conservateur à la Bibliothèque nationale de France)