This painting was made after I saw antique European maps in the possession of different universities and libraries that showed what is now called the South Atlantic to be called the Aethiopian Ocean.
Some of these maps also had the name Aethiopia sprawled across the whole African continent.
This made me think of the orientation of our maps and globes which always show the North Pole on top, putting northern hemisphere territories in a more privileged spot on top. But if we accept that the earth is a spheroid rolling around in space, the South Pole is also the top. This would clear up the question, "Why is Lower Egypt North while Upper Egypt is South?" Maybe the ancients saw it the other way.
Color India inks with touch of gold on Venetian plaster; Masonite panel. 13 1/2"x14 3/4" mounted on painted 18"x18" floater frame .