ARCE Lecture: Royal Figures from the Archaic and Predynastic Periods
Jack Josephson (Research Associate, Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) and Visiting Professor, American University of Cairo)
Although the establishment of the Egyptian Empire occurred over 5,000 ago, the circumstances of its rise are only now beginning to emerge from obscurity. The terms Dynasty 0 and the Archaic Period need clarification, as does the concept of kingship at the beginning of a great civilization. Recent discoveries in both Upper and Lower Egypt are opening new windows into this process.
This talk will focus on images of early kings and gods, attempting to demonstrate how they reflect the constant changes in portraiture and status endowed by an increasingly sophisticated population and the needs of their rulers to be at least partially deified. The time lines of these kings, many still unknown by name, will also be discussed, although it is obvious that much information about them is yet to be brought to light.
Hopefully, the new emphasis on the excavation of the earliest sites will build more understanding of the monumental changes that accompanied the formation of an extraordinary civilization that persisted for so long and undoubtedly was the forerunner of our own culture.
Reception to follow. Registration required, please email info@arceny.com.
To RSVP, please email isaw@nyu.edu.