Previously,
Taiwanese interested in Egyptian civilization have only
been able to catch glimpses of this fascinating culture
through the mass media, or by taking an expensive trip
abroad. Now, after four years of preparation, "Ancient
Egyptian Art from The Louvre" is here.
The
exhibition consists of more than 600 major items from
the collection of the Louvre in Paris, and lasts one
year from November 2003 to November 2004. Come and see
what the excitement is all about; if you are not already
an admirer of ancient Egyptian art, you will likely become
one.
The
Louvre's Egyptian Galleries contain over 60,000 Egyptian
relics, a hoard second only to the Cairo Museum. Some
of the pieces now in Taiwan have never left France since
they were acquired by The Louvre, including a mummy of
cat, and the Carved Granite Statue of Pharaoh Thutmose
IV. A girl mummy is also showcased for the first time;
while in Taiwan it will also be sent through a CAT scanner
to gather data.
Ancient
Egyptian Art from The Louvre is divided into four main
subjects: Ancient Egypt Revealed--Archeology and France;
The Rise of Egypt--The Nile and Its Ecology; Egypt and
Pharaohs--4000 Years of The History and Culture of Ancient
Egypt; and finally Mysteries of Millenniums--Life and
Death of The Ancient Egyptian.
1.
Ancient Egypt Revealed--Archeology and France
Napoleon
attacked Egypt at the end of the 18th century, and France
has enjoyed close ties with Egypt ever since. In modern
times, three French scholars have been of great importance
in the field of Egyptology. They are former Louvre Museum
Director Vivant Denon, First Egyptian Gallery Director
Jean Francois Champollion--the first man to decipher
Egyptian hieroglyphics--and Auguste Mariette, who promoted
the Egyptian Antiquity Hall in Egypt.
2.
The Rise of Egypt--The Nile and Its Ecology
The
Nile brings fertility to the land by flooding each year.
It nurtured the ancient Egyptian civilization, which
revered the Nile as the Mother God of Earth. Small creatures
and riverbank implements are introduced in this section.
The
Nile brings fertility to the land by flooding each year.
It nurtured the ancient Egyptian civilization, which
revered the Nile as the Mother God of Earth. Small creatures
and riverbank implements are introduced in this section.
3.
Egypt and Pharaohs--4000 Years of The History and Culture
of Ancient Egypt
In
this section, the antiquities are arranged by year into
a chronicle, revealing changes in art and civilization
with actual objects. The major periods are: Pre-dynastic
Period (4000-3000 B.C); Thinite (first dynasty), Old
Kingdom and First Intermediate Period (3000-2000 B.C);
Middle Kingdom (2000-1500 B.C); New Kingdom (1500-1000
B.C); and Late Period (1000-30 B.C).
4.
Mysteries of Millenniums--Life and Death of The Ancient
Egyptian
Ancient
Egypt's unique burial ceremonies are fascinating. This
section introduces the Egyptian concepts of life and
death, ceremonial procedures, mummification procedures,
barriers the dead must overcome to reach the afterworld,
guardian gods and charms, colored tombs, and the reconstruction
of Sennedjem (tombs).
When
and Where:
* July
30, 2004 to November 7, 2004
National Science & Technology Museum, Kaohsiung City
Information: (07) 384-6471 |
