: From March 13 to September 19, the High Museum of Art will
present "Glories of Ancient Egypt," an exhibition featuring more
than 200 works of art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston that
evoke the splendor of Egyptian art and funerary practices over a
period of 4,200 years.
The works of art range in date from the third millennium BC to
the Fourth Century AD, from the formation of the Egyptian state
to the advent of Christianity in that region. During this immense
time span, Egypt created some of the finest and most enduring
works of art in the ancient world. This exhibition is organized
by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. "Glories of Ancient Egypt"
will present works of art including statuary, relief, coffins,
funerary arts and objects from Egyptian daily life. The objects
will be arranged chronologically to emphasize their stylistic
development and, thematically, to evoke their original context in
ancient Egyptian tombs or temples.
Museum Director Michael E. Shapiro said, "Our audiences will be
delighted to experience objects first hand from what is one of
the best collections in the United States, if not the world."
Objects from the Old Kingdom (2575-2100 BC), the great Pyramid
Age, are tomb statues and models, including an enigmatic "Reserve
Head" whose meanings continue to engender debate. An exquisite
pair of painted reliefs belonging to the officials Qar and Idu
will be included, were excavated by Georgia Reisner for the MFA
in the 1920s. Also from the Pyramid Age is an exceedingly rare
dress for a woman. "Glories of Ancient Egypt" will present a
comprehensive selection of funerary aterial form ancient Egypt,
including coffins, cartonnage (molded layers of linen and
plaster) canopic jars and amulets.
The Great International Age, also known as the New Kingdom
(1550-1070 BC) is considered by many as an artistic high point in
ancient Egypt. The show contains an exceptional fragment of an
obelisk belonging to one of the few female pharaohs, Hatshepsut,
who erected it for the king of gods, Amun-Re. In addition to
outstanding examples of New Kingdom statuary relief and vessels,
the exhibition contains kohl pots, mirrors and jewelry that were
used by everyday ancient Egyptians to beautify themselves.
The Third Intermediate Period (1070-760 BC) witnessed the
culmination of the art of mummification and superbly decorated
cartonnage and coffins. "Glories of Egypt" contains two complete
coffin assemblages that are exqui-sitely detailed and painted
with images of funerary gods and goddesses, protective symbols
and scenes that relate to solar and underworld mythology. Also
included are a series of small mummiform figures called shawabtis
or ushebtis, meaning "answers."
These figures, sometimes accompanied by a container, were
included in burials to save the tomb owner from doing menial work
in the afterlife. When the deceased's name was "called" to work
in the afterlife, these figures would stand in for the owner and
his or her servants.
At the end of the Third Intermediate Period, powerful rulers from
the south - the Kushites - invaded Egypt and ruled over the Nile
Valley. Known as the 25th Dynasty, these kings modeled their
sculpture, painting, language, literature and architecture on
earlier Egyptian styles to legitimize their rule and align
themselves with the great periods of the past, a practice known
as "archaism." A three-quarter life-sized statue of
Senkamanisken, a Kushite ruler and an "Archaizing Relief of a
Man" illustrate these concepts.
The Egyptian collection at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is the
oldest in the United States and one of the most important in the
world, excelling in both depth and breadth. A large percent of
the collection derives from 40 years of archaeological
excavations conducted by Dr George A. Reisner between 1905 and
1942 on behalf of the museum and Harvard University.
The High Museum of Art is at 1280 Peachtree Street at 16th
Street. Call 404-733-HIGH or visit www.high.org for information.
