Their Work Endureth 1924
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Their Work Endureth 1924
A satire on the English presence in Egypt, featuring Lord Kitchener and the Earl of Cromer as the Colossi of Memnon.
1924
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Media ID 14140823
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Abroad Anti Baring Colossi Colossus Cromer Evelyn Kitchener Memnon Satire Sedition Statues Unrest 1924
Their Work Endureth - A Satirical Take on the English Presence in Egypt, 1924
EDITORS COMMENTS
This thought-provoking photograph, titled "Their Work Endureth," is a satirical representation of the British colonial rule in Egypt during the early 20th century. The image, published by the Illustrated London News Ltd in 1924, features two colossal statues that bear an uncanny resemblance to Lord Kitchener and the Earl of Cromer, two prominent figures in the English administration of Egypt at the time. The Colossi of Memnon, located in Thebes, Egypt, have long been a symbol of ancient Egyptian power and endurance. In this satirical take, the artists have replaced the original statues' heads with those of Lord Kitchener and the Earl of Cromer. The two British officials, known for their roles in maintaining order and governing Egypt during a time of unrest, are depicted as the new guardians of Egyptian history. However, the serene and imposing demeanor of the original Colossi is replaced with a sense of unease and disquiet. The inscription at the base of the statue of Lord Kitchener reads, "Their Work Endureth," a reference to the belief that the British presence in Egypt would last forever. The inscription on the Earl of Cromer's statue reads, "Memnon's Work Endureth," a playful nod to the fact that the Colossi of Memnon were originally built to honor the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The satirical nature of the image is further emphasized by the inclusion of an Egyptian native in the foreground, who looks up at the statues with a look of disdain and defiance. The image serves as a powerful commentary on the complex relationship between the British colonial powers and the native population in Egypt during this period. The photograph is a poignant reminder of the tensions and unrest that underpinned the British presence abroad and the eventual decline of their imperial power.
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