Floral Capitals of Trajan's Kiosk by Lisa Lu (2020)

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Description 12x12 Oil Painting on canvas Trajan's Kiosk, locally known as the Pharaoh's Bed, is the icon of Philae Island. The kiosk has 14 massive columns with carved floral capitals. The capitals of the plant columns each with carved Lotus Flower a symbol of Upper Egypt. It is also symbolized the sun, creation, and rebirth. The lotus was the only flowering plant in Egypt that bloomed continuously throughout the year. Inside are reliefs showing Trajan as a pharaoh making offerings to Osiris, Isis and Horus.The whole complex was moved from its original location on Philae Island, to its new location on Agilkia Island the 1960s, after the flooding of Lake Nasser due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. A major multinational UNESCO team relocated Philae, and a number of other temples. In an engineering feat to rival the ancients, the whole island was surrounded by a dam and the inside pumped dry. Then every stone block of the temple complex was labelled and removed later to be assembled, like a giant jigsaw puzzle, on the higher ground of Agilka island. The whole project took ten years and has saved one of Egypts most beautiful temples from certain destruction.The structure is today roofless, but sockets within the structure's architraves suggest that its roof, which was made of timber, was indeed constructed in ancient times. All the fourteen columns are connected by a screening wall, with entrances in the eastern and western facades. This building represents an example of the unusual combination of wood and stone in the same architectural structure for an Egyptian temple. The attribution to Emperor Trajan is based on a carving inside the kiosk structure, depicting the emperor burning incense before Osiris and Isis.

Lisa Lu, State of Washington
Member Since March 2009
Artist Statement Lisa first started painting with color pencils at the age of 10, and she has always loved to paint ever since; it allows her to express feelings with a peaceful mind. Self-taught and self-developed in watercolor and ink painting, each of Lisa's painting is a journey to adventure. Lisa presently resides with her husband and their son in the State of Washington. She is a licensed architect, and currently works in an architecture firm, while continuing self study and painting on architecture and landscape subjects in watercolors.