The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple is characterized by its massive scale, featuring 134 columns that symbolize a primeval papyrus swamp linked to Egyptian creation myths.
In yesterday’s post about the Karnak Temple Complex, we focused on the walk into the Amun-Re precinct and the first courtyard. Today, we’ll explore the Great Hypostyle Hall, which easily could have its own series of posts.
The first thing that we notice about the Great Hypostyle Hall is the massive scale of this part of the structure. Here we’re walking towards the hall, as we’re crossing the 2nd Pylon…
2nd Pylon
The Great Hypostyle Hall consists of 134 columns in 16 rows with the middle rows being the tallest at 24m high and 10m circumference. These columns supported a roof and covered an area of 5,000m2 (54,000 sq.ft.).
Looking up to the sky along these columns, we can imagine what the impact on worshippers of Amun-Re might have been…
Center Row Columns
The 134 columns represent a primeval papyrus swamp from which Atum, the primordial God in Egyptian mythology, arose from the waters of Nun, the oceanic abyss. This is part of the ancient Egyptian creation myth. The hall itself was created during the height of Seti I.
Here, we get a sense of how small we are among the papyrus swamp…
Great Hypostyle Columns
Even though the hall was built during Seti I’s reign, a keen observer will notice that many of the cartouches are from Ramses II. This is due to decorations of the southern wing being completed during Ramses II’s time.
We can also see that there were windows up high in the transition from the taller center rows to the outer rows of columns…
View to Windows
The level of detail in the decorations is astonishing, as we can see here…
Column Detail
A project has been under way to restore the vibrance of the colors by removing the layers of soot and dirt that obscure the beauty of the decorations and hieroglyphs. Also in these images we see the new roof sections that have been placed to give a sense of what the original might have looked…
Column Detail
Looking at the immensity of scale and the exquisite skill of the architects and artisans, we can’t help but stand in awe of this hall that was built more than 3,000 years ago.
More to come and we’ll go into some of the finer details in future posts.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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