The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the world. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, it houses an extensive collection of art from around the world. The museum’s Egyptian art collection is particularly impressive, with more than 26,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history.
History of the Collection
The Brooklyn Museum has had a long history of collecting and displaying art from ancient Egypt. The first artifacts from Egypt arrived in the late 19th century, and the museum’s collection has grown steadily ever since. Today, it is one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian art in the United States.
Highlights of the Collection
The Brooklyn Museum’s Egyptian collection contains a wide range of objects, from large stone sculptures to small pieces of jewelry. Some of the most impressive items in the collection include:
- The Temple of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian temple that was reconstructed and installed in the museum in 1978.
- The Mummy of Hornedjitef, a 3,000-year-old mummy that was discovered in 1888.
- The Gilded Coffin of Nedjemankh, a lavish coffin that was discovered in 2017.
Exhibitions
The Brooklyn Museum regularly hosts exhibitions of its Egyptian collection, allowing visitors to explore the rich history of ancient Egypt. Recent exhibitions have included:
- “Death and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt” (2019), which explored the rituals and beliefs of ancient Egyptians surrounding death and the afterlife.
- “Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity” (2017), which showcased the museum’s collection of ancient Egyptian funerary art.
- “Sphinx to Tut: Ancient Egypt’s Greatest Treasures” (2015), which featured a selection of the museum’s most iconic artifacts.
Educational Resources
The Brooklyn Museum offers a variety of educational resources related to its Egyptian collection, including:
- Tours of the collection, which are available to the public and to school groups.
- An online collection database, which provides detailed information about each artifact.
- Educational programs for students of all ages, including hands-on workshops and lectures.
Conclusion
The Brooklyn Museum’s collection of Egyptian art is one of the most impressive in the world. With more than 26,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of history, it provides a unique opportunity to explore the rich culture of ancient Egypt. The museum also offers a variety of educational resources, making it an ideal destination for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating civilization.