Varnish or Vandalism: The Dark Fate of Qasr al-Nil Sparks Restoration Debate
A wave of outrage over the “Lion of Qasr al-Nil” has spread on social media over the past two days as several “social media” users have circulated pictures of the maintenance process of the historic statues at the entrance. From both sides to the “Qasr al-Nil Bridge”, criticizing the method of painting that destroys the artistic value of ancient statues.
The Cairo Governorate, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, is working to maintain 21 historical statues in public squares, including the “Lion of Qasr al-Nil”, but the method used to maintain the ancient statues has sparked a statewide uproar. Dissatisfaction among citizens, as the lions were painted unprofessionally, amid criticism from The Fine Artists Syndicate about the method used for painting.
The people responsible for the maintenance of the “Qasr al-Nil Lion” used traditional methods with regular paint and varnish, which changed them from bronze to black, which hid the history and characteristics of these historic statues.
sarcastic response
The story began when the general agent of the Fine Artists Syndicate, Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabban, wrote a post on his personal Facebook account documenting the maintenance process for the “Lions of Qasr Al-Nil”: “The day before yesterday, we left the Syndicate with the artist Tariq Al-Qoumi. After performing various tasks and tasks in the Union, when we left the Opera Gate with the statue of Saad Jaghloul, we were surprised to see a large sign about the scaffolding around the lions of Qasr al-Nil and the statue of Saad Jaghloul and The four lions require only one washing process. Simple cleaning materials, and this… his words as an expert in sculpture and sculpture restoration.
Al-Sabban explained: “Yesterday, after our appearance at the Union, when we left the opera, we were surprised by a new farce, which was painting statues with a roller like black brick and lacquer material. For climbed the scaffolding we will work to inform those responsible to stop these works, which will extend to many statues in all the squares.
As soon as pictures documenting the maintenance process of “Lions of Qasr al-Nil” went viral, disgruntled and sarcastic criticism began among social media users: “We have restored Qasr al-Nil before. And after the painting,” wrote another account under the name of Iman. : “I heard that someone sprayed two bronze lions, Qasr al-Nil and Shin Laki.”
Union statement
The General Agent of the Fine Artists Syndicate said: “Regarding the restoration of the lions of Qasr al-Nil, communications were made between the head of the Fine Artists Syndicate, the artist Tariq al-Qoumi, and the relevant authorities, and from the Governor of Cairo, Dr. Ibrahim Saber, and the Head of the Islamic Antiquities Sector, Dr. Gamal Mustafa. A quick response has been received and an appointment has been scheduled with the head of central administration this morning to complete the restoration and maintenance process of the lions at Qasr al-Nil and return the syndicate to its original color patina. Thanks to Fine Artists for their interest and quick response.”
History of “The Lion of Qasr al-Nil”.
Qasr el the blue lionAfter Khedive Ismail ordered the construction of a bridge to connect Cairo and the island in 1886, after its construction was completed in 1871, he ordered the design of four seven bridges on both sides, and at the same time the French artist Eugène Guillaume made his first steps in the “Qasr”. Al-Nil”, he made them in France and then in Alexandria and then brought them to their present location. zero
An amount of 198,000 francs was allocated to this project to have bronzes from France and from there the two entrances of the Qasr al-Nil bridge were moved to their current location using anatomical models of the lion’s main body parts and they represent artistic, historical and cultural value.