Masterpieces of Egyptian Art

We are delighted to bring back this much-loved course with Egyptologist Laura Ranieri Roy — a passionate guide to Egypt’s museums and treasures. Now, as the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza finally opens, many masterpieces of the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir have found a new home. In this updated series, we will explore highlights from both the classic Tahrir collection and the dazzling new galleries of the GEM.

Across four engaging sessions, Laura will reveal the artistry and meaning of more than 25 exquisite works spanning 3,000 years of pharaonic history. From the serene statuary of the pyramid builders to the golden splendor of Tutankhamun, from Middle Kingdom realism to the later Nubian and Libyan dynasties, we will discover why these works remain among the world’s most celebrated. Each lecture will highlight the craftsmanship, symbolism, and archaeological discovery of these treasures — opening a window onto the civilization that created them.

Course Schedule

Thursdays at 4:00 PM (EST)

• Week 1 — January 15: The Egyptian Museum in Cairo & the Old Kingdom. We begin with the history of the iconic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, then turn to the Old Kingdom’s extraordinary art. Discover the serene statuary and masterworks of the pyramid age, from the 4th dynasty kings to the earliest masterpieces of world sculpture.
• Week 2 — January 22: Late Old Kingdom & Middle Kingdom Art. We continue with the 5th and 6th dynasties, before moving into the Middle Kingdom — a time of new forms, deep introspection, and exquisite realism. Explore the severe yet compelling royal portraits, alongside lively tomb models of gardens, workshops, and everyday life.
• Week 3 — February 5: The New Kingdom, Part I. We celebrate the golden age of Egyptian art, beginning with the reunification and the rise of Queen Hatshepsut through the time of Tutankhamun. Examine statues, reliefs, and treasures linked to Egypt’s most famous rulers and sites — including the revolutionary art of the Amarna period.
• Week 4 — February 12: The New Kingdom, Part II & the Late Period. We conclude with the later New Kingdom, from the Ramesside pharaohs through to the Libyan and Nubian dynasties. Discover the evolving artistry of this period of power and transition, and how Egypt’s artistic genius endured into the Late Period.

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Recognize the defining features of Egyptian art across the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, as well as the Late Period.
2. Understand the cultural, religious, and political contexts that shaped these masterpieces and the artists who created them.
3. Gain insight into the archaeological discoveries of key objects and their significance to the history of Egyptology.
4. Appreciate the continuity and innovation in Egyptian artistic traditions — from serene Old Kingdom statues to the flamboyant art of the Ramessides
5. Learn about Cairo’s two great museums: The Grand Egyptian Museum and the Cairo Egyptian Museum – Tahrir!

This event will be recorded.