Expeditions from Egypt
From March 31 to October 1, 2023, the Art & History Museum presents the exhibition Expeditions from Egypt. This exhibition tells the story of two centuries of fascinating archaeological discoveries in the Land of the Pharaohs and the formation of the museum's Egyptian collection.
Two hundred objects from this prestigious collection will mostly be shown to the public for the very first time. Highlights include the richly decorated coffins of the Priests' Hideout at Deir el-Bahari and the beautifully illustrated Book of the Dead of the dignitary Neferrenpet. Funerary stelae, canopic jars, ushabti figurines introduce visitors to the world of Egyptian gods and eternal life. Another highlight of the exhibition is the monumental statue of the goddess Sekhmet from the Royal Palace, transferred to the Art & History Museum for this exhibition. Finally, the exhibition offers a rich selection of archival photos that depict the Egypt of yesteryear.
8 Sections filled with history
The exhibition is divided into eight chronological sections that guide visitors through two centuries of history. The story begins in the XNUMXthe century, when Belgian diplomatic and industrial circles became more and more interested in Egypt, which then occupied a central place in international politics and global economic expansion. The first Egyptian objects in the collection are mainly private donations or diplomatic gifts. Then come other important additions to the collection, including the objects brought from Egypt by Leopold, Duke of Brabant, future Leopold II, and the exceptional set of coffins from the Cachette of the priests of Deir el-Bahari, visible for the first time since their restoration.
A rather impressive collection of objects on Egypt
It was in the first decades of the XXe century that the collection grew by several thousand objects, thanks to the inexhaustible energy of the curator Jean Capart (1877-1947), the true founder of Belgian Egyptology. Through his many initiatives, Capart then made Brussels the world capital of Egyptology at the time. After visiting the inviolate tomb of Tutankhamun, in the company of Queen Elisabeth, he created the Queen Elisabeth Egyptological Foundation, an internationally renowned scientific institute, which celebrates its XNUMXth anniversary this year.
Today, the Art & History Museum houses a remarkably rich Egyptian collection that ranks among those of the most important European museums. It is the subject of a great deal of multidisciplinary research and an active restoration policy, which highlights the many treasures of this exceptional heritage.
Learn more about Sara Sallam
The exhibition is also punctuated by the artistic interventions of Sara Sallam (°1991, Cairo). The artist explores contemporary Egyptian cultural identity and questions the history and meaning of Egyptology. Imbued with poetry, Sara Sallam's work, nourished by her childhood memories, offers a new look at the heritage of ancient Egypt.
Expeditions from Egypt is one of the outcomes of the research project Pyramids & Progress, Belgian Expansionism and the Making of Egyptology 1830-1952 (EOS, FWO-FNRS), completed in 2022, which aimed to study the rise of Belgian Egyptology, as a scientific discipline, in the context of the economic and diplomatic development of Belgium. The archival photographs that punctuate the exhibition were revealed by the scientific project Sura, Unlocking the Photographic Archives of the Pioneering Years of Egyptology at the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels (Belspo).
The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue, published by Ludion, including descriptions of the history of Belgian Egyptology, as well as exhibits, written by several researchers associated with the project. Pyramids & Progress.
The exhibition is placed under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians.
Pratical information
31.03> 01.10.2023
Catalog: L. Delvaux & Elisabeth Van Caelenberge (Ed.), Expeditions from Egypt. Stories of a collection. Brussels, Ludion & Royal Museums of Art and History, 2023. 258 pp.
Save the date
Press visit: 30.03 at 11 a.m.
Art & History Museum
Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000 Brussels
Tue-Fri: 9:30 a.m.-17 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 10 a.m.-00 p.m.
Closed Monday and 01.05
Source: press release.
Organizer
BE-CULTURE is a communication agency specialized in the cultural sector created in 1999.
BE-CULTURE is in charge of communication as well as advice and strategies, communication plans, press relations, media partnerships, promotion, web campaign and social networks, influence marketing, events around artistic activities - institutions, one-off events, exhibitions, festivals, press releases and artists.
Location
The Brussels Museum of Art and History is a veritable cultural institution in the Belgian capital. It's in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, this fascinating museum contains thousands of pieces of art and historical objects from different cultures and eras.
Who is he talking to? Whether you are passionate about art, history or simply curious, this museum is a must to visit.
The Brussels Museum of Art and History offers several permanent collections, including Egyptian antiquities, Asian art objects, European decorative arts, musical instruments, weapons and armor, and much more.
Regularly you will find temporary exhibitions which allow you to discover specific themes and artists.
- Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
- Accessibility: The museum is easily accessible by public transport, with several metro and bus lines serving the region
- Website: official museum website for more information, including opening hours, prices and upcoming events.
