Mountains of Bennehassein and Hermit Grottos – Nile Engraving, c.1755
This panoramic plate shows the mountains of Bennehassein, noted for the grottos of the anchorite saints. The rocky cliffs dominate the background, while Nile boats glide across the foreground, creating a strong contrast between human movement and geological permanence. The subject combines natural history, religious tradition, and travel observation, illustrating the layered cultural landscape encountered by 18th-century explorers.
Such views are highly desirable for collectors interested in early Christian sites in Egypt and for interiors that benefit from dramatic yet balanced horizontal imagery.
Condition report: Good antique condition. Light age toning and minor surface marks. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips: A darker mat or frame can emphasize the dramatic cliff formations without overpowering the engraving.
Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Frederik Ludvig Norden, Copenhagen, circa 1755
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.