Visions of Ancient Egypt

This exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich (3 September–1 January 2023) reveals how the art and design of Ancient Egypt has inspired centuries of creativity. Bringing together more than 150 works featuring motifs associated with ancient Egyptian culture, the exhibition includes a broad range of mediums – from furniture design such as William Holman Hunt’s Egyptian Chair (1857) through to contemporary works such as Chris Ofili’s portrait of Cleopatra (1992). A selection of ancient Egyptian artefacts from the Sainsbury Centre’s collections will also go on display, including an ornate Egyptian vase from Nagada II Dynasty (c. 3600–3000 B.C.) and a stone relief depicting female heads dating from the mid 13th century. The exhibition coincides with the bicentenary of the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone by Jean-Franćois Champollion and the centenary of Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Find out more on Sainsbury Centre’s website.

Canopic Jar (1790), Josiah Wedgwood & Sons. Victoria and Albert Museum.

Cleopatra (1992), Chris Ofili. Royal College of Art. © Royal College of Art

Large Egyptian vase (c. 36000–3000 BC), Nagada II-Dynasty, Egypt. Sainsbury Centre Collection