The exhibition Life and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt was launched at the Art Institute of Chicago on February 11, with the unveiling of works from the museum’s historic collection of ancient Egyptian art in a quarter-century.
With nearly 80 relics dating back 3000 years, the exhibition describes the life and afterlife from perspectives of daily life, funerary custom and myths. Arresting sculptures, such as the statue of Shebenhor, reveal how ancient Egyptians chose to present themselves so that they would be remembered for eternity, while funerary works, such as a gilded funerary mask, unveil how they prepared for the afterlife.
The exhibition emphasizes the impact of Egypt’s natural environment, including the Nile River, on its visual culture, reveals the working process of ancient Egyptian artists, and explores the critical position of gods and goddesses to life and death along the Nile.
Source: Art Institute of Chicago, Egypt Today