253. Medinet abou. G.[ran]d Temple. Cour.

Medinet Habu at the southern end of Thebes is the site of the mortuary temple of Ramesses III. It is the best preserved of all of the mortuary temples at Thebes. The building was entered through a massive pylon followed by two courts, which led to the hypostyle hall. Much of the hall was destroyed in the first century BC by an earthquake. In this daguerreotype Girault de Prangey shows one of the entrances, relatively well preserved. The centre of the picture is deep in shadow, creating an abrupt stop, with only a small window on to what lies beyond. In the foreground fragments of columns from the destroyed interior litter the earth floor, apparently also barring the way.

Girault de Prangey made approximately ten daguerreotypes in various formats from sixth-plate to whole-plate at Medinet Habu (see also lots 41, 58 and 59).