Beato photographs two Egyptians in front of the columns of the western side of the colonnade, from the courtyard in front of the hypostyle hall, giving sense of the monumental scale of the architecture. Built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom with sites including Dendera and Philae, the Temple at Edfu was preserved nearly intact due to being nearly completely buried by 12 meters of desert sand and Nile silt. The work to uncover the temple was started by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette in 1860, and it remains a major visitor site in Egypt.

Antonio Beato (1832-1906) was one of Egypt's most prolific photographers. Unlike his brother Felice Beato who travelled widely, Antonio remained in Egypt for most of his professional life.

Albumen print; very good tonal range and in good condition, closed tear to left hand edge and 2 small closed tears to lower edge repaired; titled and numbered 547 on reverse in pencil; signed in negative 'A. Beato'.