Jean-François Champollion by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, 1875
Courtyard of the Collège de France
Place Marcelin Berthelot
Quartier de la Sorbonne, 5th arrondissement
Paris, July 2012
“A statue in Paris of Jean François Champollion, the French archaeologist who deciphered hieroglyphics, has been condemned as ‘derogatory’ and ‘shameful’ by Egyptian Egyptologists. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi carved the marble statue depicting Champollion standing with his left foot on a pharaonic head in 1875. It was put on display in the Parc Egyptian created by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette for the Universal Exhibition of 1877. It was originally intended to be transported to Figeac, the birthplace of Champollion, but the project did not find sufficient support and it remained in Paris. In 1878, the statue was placed in its current location in the courtyard of the Collège de France. The statue has triggered the anger of Egyptian Egyptologists and the antiquities ministry.” (‘Derogatory’ Champollion statue in Paris angers Egyptians, Ahram Online)
He is obviously thinking hard about hieroglyphs...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I can see why the Egyptologists might find this a bit offensive. I'm impressed with the knowledge you include with your photos. I have a tendency to shoot something and wonder later on what the heck I shot! :)
ReplyDeleteLowell - It is not knowledge, but simply some kind of research to remind me what I have photographed. I tend to forget this rather quickly, so this helps...
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