I saw this giant statue and immediately wanted to frame it within the rounded archways of the ornate interior. The architecture reinforces the sense of symmetry.

The Met has an extensive Egyptian collection, and this statue was one of many impressive pieces on display. Its sheer presence made me appreciate it more than a typical painting. To me, it feels more architectural than a conventional work of art. Perhaps that’s because it occupies space the way a building does. You don’t just look at it—you experience its physical presence. The collection also features reconstructed temples lined with hieroglyphics. It felt like the closest you can get to ancient Egypt without actually visiting the country.

I had to look up this piece since I didn’t read the description while I was there. It’s called the Colossal Seated Statue of a Pharaoh and dates to about 1919–1878 BC, making it nearly 3,900 years old. Egyptologists believe it most likely depicts Amenemhat II, though some argue it represents Senwosret II instead. Because the inscriptions are incomplete, no one knows for certain.

Those names are “Greek to me”—or, more accurately, “Egyptian to me.” The only pharaohs I vaguely remember are King Tut and Ramses. I am certainly no Egyptologist, as you can tell.

Blog readers, you’ll love my free monthly photography magazine. Signup for the free magazine to get articles and topics not discussed on the blog.