Egyptian Ploughing Scene at Gamase, Upper Egypt – Norden Engraving 1755
Description: This rare genre scene shows agricultural life in Upper Egypt, depicting an Egyptian plough drawn by oxen near the village of Gamase. Issued in 1755 as part of Norden’s Voyage d’Egypte et de Nubie, the plate is notable for documenting everyday rural practices rather than monumental ruins.
Norden’s approach was pioneering in its attention to contemporary life. Here, farming activity unfolds alongside domestic architecture, tools, animals, and figures in traditional dress, offering an unusually intimate record of 18th-century Egyptian agrarian culture.
Engraved after Norden’s drawings by Marcus Tuscher, the composition balances ethnographic observation with landscape clarity. Such scenes are increasingly valued for their anthropological importance and decorative appeal.
Condition report: Moderate toning with light spotting. Clean plate mark, good margins.
Framing tips: Ideal with natural linen mats and oak or light walnut frames to emphasize the rural subject matter.
Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Frederik Ludvig Norden, after Marcus Tuscher, Denmark, 1755
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