The Life and Afterlife of an Ancient Egyptian Sculpture
Text by Lawrence M. Berman.
Sometime in the early fourth century BC, an unknown Egyptian master carved an exquisite portrait in dark-green stone. The statue that included this head of a priest, likely a citizen of ancient Memphis, may have been damaged when the Persians conquered Egypt in 343 BC, before it was buried in a temple complex. Its adventures were not over: after almost two millennia, the head was excavated by Auguste Mariette, a founding figure in French archaeology. Sent to France as part of a collection assembled for the inimitable Bonaparte prince known as Plon-Plon, it found a home in his faux Pompeian palace. After disappearing again, it resurfaced in the collection of American aesthete Edward Perry Warren, who donated it to the MFA, Boston. Along the way, this compelling, mysterious sculpture has reflected the evolving understanding of Egyptian art.
Featured image is reproduced from The Priest, the Prince, and the Pasha.
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
The Wall Street Journal
Ann Landi
A feat of storytelling that makes "Raiders of the Lost Ark" look like kid stuff.
Egyptian Archaeology: The Bulletin of the Egypt Exploration Society
Berman's book is to be highly recommended for the different (often very colourful) stories behind this incredible face that it throws into relief.
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FORMAT: Hbk, 5.75 x 8.25 in. / 208 pgs / 50 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $24.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $33.95 GBP £15.00 ISBN: 9780878467969 PUBLISHER: MFA Publications, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston AVAILABLE: 6/23/2015 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: WORLD
The Priest, the Prince, and the Pasha The Life and Afterlife of an Ancient Egyptian Sculpture
Published by MFA Publications, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Text by Lawrence M. Berman.
Sometime in the early fourth century BC, an unknown Egyptian master carved an exquisite portrait in dark-green stone. The statue that included this head of a priest, likely a citizen of ancient Memphis, may have been damaged when the Persians conquered Egypt in 343 BC, before it was buried in a temple complex. Its adventures were not over: after almost two millennia, the head was excavated by Auguste Mariette, a founding figure in French archaeology. Sent to France as part of a collection assembled for the inimitable Bonaparte prince known as Plon-Plon, it found a home in his faux Pompeian palace. After disappearing again, it resurfaced in the collection of American aesthete Edward Perry Warren, who donated it to the MFA, Boston. Along the way, this compelling, mysterious sculpture has reflected the evolving understanding of Egyptian art.
