Mystery, Majesty and the Mundane in New Kingdom Egypt

Ancient Egypt’s 18th dynasty is one of its most intriguing. Hateshepsut the female king, Tutankhamun the boy king, Akhenaten the enigmatic king; shifting political allegiances; complicated family dynamics—so many elements of this historical period seem strange, not just in contrast to the modern world but also in comparison with broader Egyptian history. But it is also a time of great conservatism and continuity. In this lecture, objects from the feature exhibition Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs will be used as a starting point to explore a fascinating era in Egypt’s golden age, revealing that for people from all  levels of this ancient society, the dramatic could represent enduring stability and the conventional mask a striking change.

About the Speaker

Dr. Dennine Dudley, sessional instructor in Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria. Her approach to the history of art is that of a social historian who specializes in material culture. She works on a wide variety of periods and geographical regions. One of her special interests is looking at the transmission of ideas, styles and objects across space and time (trade, collecting, historiography, traditions).