The Other Cleopatra’s Needles: London and Paris

The London Obelisk

Brief history: part of the dyad, how it got to London (diplomatic exchanges and transportation), his erection and choice of location. Here I wanted to spend some time looking specifically at the its placement: it is in fact flanked by two sphynx. To be contextualized in Egyptomania in the U.K. and Europe at large, to then to compare with what was happening in the U.S.

The Paris Obelisk

This obelisk is also called “Cleopatra’s Needle, just as the obelisks in Central Park of New York and in Victoria Embankment of London. However, this obelisk was not part of the original dyad and was not brought from Alexandria. Rather, it was erected by Ramsses II and brought over from Luxor.

[Here I wanted to explore the concept of urbanism and Egyptomania. What does it mean to place an obelisk in a square versus in a park?]

Egyptomania and Urban Planning in 19th c. Europe and U.S

Precedents in Rome, Italy (urban planning during Roman Empire and Neo-Classical wave)

Obelisks in parks (London, NYC, Washington D.C.) vs. squares (Rome, Paris)

Cleopatramania and the naming of these three obelisks!