Ambs into a kind of valley formed by the great court, with its wonderful
portico and belt of columns, it is difficult to conceive a more imposing
scene. The walls on all sides were covered with gigantic figures, quite
wonderful to behold in their serene ugliness; but awakening no more
human sympathy than the singular figures we saw on the Chinese-patterned
plate stuck over the doorway in Nubia. The exaggeration that is usually
indulged in with reference to Egyptian art is such,
that if we were to attempt to describe these sculptured ornaments
according to our own impressions, we should run the risk of being
accused of caricature. We do not mean on this temple only, but on all
the temples of Egypt. Now and then a face of beautiful expression,
though still with heavy features,
is met with; but in general both countenance and figure
are flat, out of proportion, and stiff in drawing, whilst the highest
effort of colouring consists of one uniform layer, without tints or
gradation. Perhaps amidst the many thousand subjects found
in tombs and temples
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