Called “Tekhenu” by the Egyptians, the Obelisk was given its modern name by the Greeks. Obelisks were considered sacred to the god “Re” and other solar deities. According to old mythology, Obelisks came in pairs; two were in heaven and two were on earth in every age. Quarried at the Red Granite fields of Aswan, these Obelisks were shipped down the Nile over 300 miles to their destination in Thebes or beyond. One of two twin Obelisks at Luxor Temple, this East Obelisk of Ramesses II measures 82 ft in height and weighs 254 tons. Its twin was given to France as a gift by Viceroy Mohamed Ali in 1829. There are 27 Obelisks still standing in the world today, of these 27 only 8 are in Egypt. New York has one, Turkey has one, Israel has one, France has two, and Italy has 14.

West face of Ramesses ll Obelisk, Luxor Temple Egypt 2002.

Silver gelatin print.