Nothing beats the ancient Egyptians for a compelling exhibition. A case in point is “Maverick Kings, Three Visionary Pharoahs of Egypt’s Golden Age,” on through Dec. 6 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
“Spanning 1550 to 1292 BCE, the 18th Dynasty, known as ancient Egypt’s “golden age,” was marked by great societal and artistic change,” says the MFA website. “Initiating these developments, Egypt’s mighty pharaohs patronized artists, architects and craftspeople, who in turn produced distinctive portraits, impressive buildings, and art with a recognizable style.
“This exhibition focuses on three celebrated rulers of the 18th Dynasty: Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, and Akhenaten. All members of the same family, each was a maverick who understood the power of images and used them effectively to advance their agendas during their long reigns.
“One of ancient Egypt’s few female pharaohs, Hatshepsut (reigned about 1473-1458 BCE) founded the 18th-Dynasty artistic style. She built impressive temples furnished with statues and obelisks bearing her likeness as king, yet she received no credit for her achievements. Years after her death, for reasons still not clear, Hatshepsut’s images were smashed and her name was erased from history, only to be rediscovered by modern Egyptologists.
“Amenhotep III (reigned about 1390–1352 BCE) was one of Egypt’s most successful rulers; sculpture portraits characteristic of his reign have radiant faces suffused with satisfaction and well-being.
“Akhenaten (reigned about 1352–1336 BCE), son of Amenhotep III, sought to change Egypt’s religion to worship of a single deity, the Aten, represented by the disk of the sun. Artists depicted him and his queen, Nefertiti, with distinctive body proportions: narrow shoulders, slender high waists, faces with long chins, and elongated skulls.
“Drawing primarily from the MFA’s extensive collection of ancient Egyptian art, one of the largest and most important in the world, ‘Maverick Kings’ explores the lives and legacies of these dynamic monarchs through their art and own words. Visitors will see major monuments to Hatshepsut, including the only royal sarcophagus from the 18th Dynasty outside of Egypt; large statues of deities in animal form, a style characteristic of Amenhotep III’s reign, such as a nearly six-foot-tall statue of a falcon; and a sculpted portrait of Akhenaten’s son, Tutankhamen (reigned about 1332–1323 BCE), who restored the cults of the old gods.
“Together these objects reveal how, just as we fashion public personas for our own ends today, these three pharaohs created and used their own images to achieve and retain political power.
The exhibition also includes objects on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. It ends with contemporary art by Awol Erizku and others that exemplifies the perennial influence and appeal of ancient Egyptian imagery.
Everyone needs a timed-entry ticket to see the exhibition, including members — reserve yours to guarantee entry. Exhibition tickets include general admission to the MFA. Visit www.mfa.org for info and hours.
GALLERY NOTES
MAKE ART @ FAM — The Trick or Treat Edition will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at the at Fitchburg Civic Days’ annual Trick or Treat on Main Street. Stop by the Fitchburg Art Museum table to grab some candy and make spooky art! Visit https://fitchburgartmuseum.org for info. The program is supported by supported by Rockland Trust and The Cathedral Fund.
LOWELL SCENE — It’s said that October is the month of homecomings, and it is very apparent in Lowell with the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival and others crowding the calendar. At the Ayer Lofts Gallery at 172 Middle St., enjoy “Overpainted Beats: Explosions of Blood,” through Nov. 1. The gallery is open weekends and by appointment. Visit www.ayerloftsgallery.org for info and hours. … In the Lofts Gallery at Western Avenue Studios, “Welcome Home” is on exhibit through Nov. 9. Here’s what the online writeup says, “Across cultures and throughout history, fostering lasting relationships with those who have passed on is a deeply human practice of care. Through acts of remembrance, we transform memory into connection, preserving bonds that continue beyond a single lifetime. ‘Welcome Home’ draws inspiration from these practices of incorporeal hospitality. A seat left at the table is more than an empty chair; it is a threshold where then gives way to now, creating a space where the absent may once again share in the lives of the living. This group exhibition extends an invitation to share in this gathering, honoring the vast spiritual ecosystem of memory, ancestry, and connection that shapes our human experience.’’ Co-curated by Gabriella Alejandra Aragon and Alisa Sickora. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ytenedbw for info.
Nancye Tuttle’s email address is [email protected].
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