A rare exhibition on Egyptian treasures, including pieces recently unearthed, opened in Paris in the Grand Palais on April 9th 1999.
Visitors were fascinated by the masterpieces of the 2700-2200 B.-C period shown in the exhibition called «Egyptian Art during the times of the Pyramids».
Egyptian artists and craftsmen of this period were certainly the greatest masters known in the history of mankind. So far, archaeologists were interested in the pyramids and architecture and considered artefacts as secondary. It was the French archaeological school, which worked on the much ambitious project of the Grand Palais exhibition, and took over years to organise it.
French museum officials contacted many museums and important collectors to collect the best pieces for this exhibition such as the two giant wood statues of a nobleman called Meryrehachetef who lived in the small town of Sedment where at least two centres existed for the production of sculptures.
Organisers of the exhibition went as far as reconstructing temple decors of the time, a feat so far unequalled by any museum.
Egyptian researchers collaborated closely with the organisers and lent the magnificent jewels of King Sekhemkhet which were previously exhibited in Cairo. Many other pieces come from newly explored sites and are mostly in mint condition.
Specialists said this exhibition cast new light on the life of the ancient Egyptians and added it was a starting point for new studies regarding these five centuries during which human genius was at its height.
Visitors packed to attend the opening of the exhibition and admire some 200 fabulous pieces produced with incredible ingeniosity and subtleness. Many of them expressed their astonishment when confronted to the poetry of many sculptures showing couples fondly holding one another.
All these treasures were made with modest tools which were sufficient for the making of a golden era. Visitors were also surprised on learning that Egyptian art between 2700 and 2200 B.-C and during four dynasties was not only devoted to Pharaos and temples but also to private homes with a kind of priority given to individuals as shown with many statues of people in realistic and gentle attitudes. This exhibition has been quite extraordinary as it has given an impressive insight on the daily life of the Egyptians of that period and left visitors with the impression that the gap between them and these people is quite thin. Once again, only sciences, technology and religion were key elements in the evolution of man though one may question whether such factors have been entirely positive in that instance.
Apparently, the ancient Egyptians lived well and were rather peaceful people who invested themselves in agriculture and many forms of art as well as having exquisite tatstes. The statues of the workers of Gizah, discovered in their cemetery in 1992, kept their original colours and showed the quite realistic and strangely modernistic looks of sitters.
Christiane Ziegler, head of the Louvre Museum department of Egyptian antiquities and commissioneer of this exhibition which will be also organised in New York and Toronto in the forthcoming months, said the 200 pieces came from about twelve countries. It was the first time that pieces dating from the same period were gathered in one single event. As an example, visitors have been able to see at the same time the four statues of Nykare, the scribe from the granary storehouse, found in Saqqara and dispersed at the turn of the century. Fragments from a hunting scene now in New York and in Berlin were also reunited as well as architectural elements from the tomb of Metchetchi. Certain stone reliefs which had remained stored in archaeological sites and forgotten for many years have also been exhibited as well as newly discovered objects found the tombs of the community of workers of Gizah.
She said that artist of that golden period strove to produce realistic works of art as seen with the life-size stone relief of Hezyre, who was presumably Snefru's doctor, shown with his naked body finely chiseled as well with the statue of the Vizir Hemiunu, a close aide of Cheops, with his heavy features, his fat body and his haughty mouth expressing a strong personality. Artists were thus interested in showing individuals as they were and in producing statues which mostly were covered with powerful colours.
The Ancient Empire comprised four dynasties from 2700 until 2200 B.-C with Memphis as its capital, it stretched from the Mediterranean sea to the first cataract.
The Third Dynasty (2700-2620) started with King Djeser whose pyramid has been the object of many archaeological campaigns since 1927.
The Fourth Dynasty (2620-2500) saw the erection of the large pyramids. Snefru, the first king, ordered the construction of the first regular pyramid. Cheops, his successor, then Chefren and Mykerinos had theirs build on the geological platform of Gizah, near the great Sphinx.
The Fifth Dynasty (2500-2359) had nine successive kings and during this period the Egyptian Administration played an increasing role in the running of affairs.
The Sixth Dynastyu (2350-2200) enabled the stepping up of relations with Nubia and Phenicia whereas architecture and sculpture were considerably developed.
The decline of the Ancient Empire started with Pepi the First while his successor, Pepi II, did not manage to solve border problems which led to troubles that lasted over 200 years.
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