Egyptomania

by Jean-Marcel Humbert, Christiane Ziegler, Michael Pantazzi

From the smallest piece of gold jewelry to colossal statues of kings, Egypt’s treasures have inspired the work of painters, sculptors, decorative artists, interior designers, and architects throughout the Western world. In Egypt in Western Art, 1730-1930, the arrangement of a dazzling assortment of masterworks by western artists side by side with artifacts from ancient Egypt celebrates our perennial fascination with all things Egyptian.

This volume traces waves of Egyptian influence which swept Europe and North America from the first modern use of Egyptian themes in a painting by Poussin in 1647 to Baccarat perfume bottles shaped like Ramses inspired by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Egyptian imagery is presented in a spectacular collection of artwork spanning the Baroque to Art Deco, from ceramics by Wedgwood to jewelry by Cartier, murals by Piranesi, architectural designs by Zix , paintings by Tiepolo, furniture by Hope, and many more.

In all, 350 objects are rendered beautifully in 206 color and 630 black and white illustrations. They come from international museums, private lenders such as the House of Cartier, and collections from the Fontainebleau, Versailles, Malmaison, and Buckingham Palace.


In-depth essays by leading art historians from Paris, Vienna, and Ottawa give detailed histories of each object and artist. An extensive introduction by the editors provides a comprehensive overview of Egyptomania— the artistic legacy of cultural revivals which began in the days of the Roman Empire. Their analysis shows how Egyptomania has been spurred by military conquests, scientific developments, archaeological findings, museum exhibitions, and other events which periodically rekindle our obsession with the beauties, mysteries, and images of ancient Egypt.

576 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1989

Reviews

[Lynn Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand this book receiving a lower rating than I gave it because it's a scholarly read, and a reader has to be prepared for that . . . complexity. However, it is full of interesting information and tidbits about a very curious phase of cultural history, when all things Egyptian were the rage.

Recommended for those with a slight geeky streak.

[D Coops · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been an average book had it not sought to create the impression of a well written book with overly scholarly language and confusing prose. Bob Briers book, of the same title, is a far more satisfying read.

[N.L.B. Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand this book receiving a lower rating than I gave it because it's a scholarly read, and a reader has to be prepared for that . . . complexity. However, it is full of interesting information and tidbits about a very curious phase of cultural history, when all things Egyptian were the rage.

Recommended for those with a slight geeky streak.

: )