Gallery Talk: Who was the Pharaoh Akhenaten?

• Event date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 - 11:30
• Event type: Seminar
• Collaborators: Herbert Museum and Art Gallery
• Speakers: Chris Kirby

Chris Kirby, Head of Collections and Programmes at the Herbert, explores what we know about the Pharaoh Akhenaten. This talk accompanied the display of a world-class Ancient Egyptian object at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum from 7-14th September 2010. The Pharaoh Akhenaten was one of the most remarkable rulers of Ancient Egypt. Reigning over 3,300 years ago, he transformed the religious and artistic traditions of his country by his worship of the sun god Aten, as well as the creation of a new capital city called Akhetaten. The British Museum object is an artist practice piece completed about 1350 BCE. It is undoubtedly the craftsmanship of a highly skilled worker and represents one of the most beguiling and enigmatic portraits of the Pharaoh that exists. This exhibition attempts to reveal what the image tells us about Akhenaten, once described by an Egyptologist as the first individual in history. The Trial Piece will also anticipate a forthcoming exhibition: Secret Egypt – Unraveling Truth From Myth, which comes to the Herbert from February 2010. It will provide an opportunity to see exceptional exhibits from Ancient Egypt, brought together for the very first time.