CHRYSLER MUSEUM OFFERS ONCE-IN-A LIFETIME-CHANCE TO LIVE FOREVER

Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Art and Artifacts from Brooklyn Museum Explores the Afterlife

(Norfolk, Va.) – Pyramids and Pharaohs. Sphinxes and sarcophagi. The Ten Commandments. The Book of the Dead. Crocodiles, cobras, and Cleopatra. What other culture evokes such rich imagination and echoes of immortality as ancient Egypt?

On October 14, the Nile comes to Norfolk with the public debut of To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum. This blockbuster show, on view through January 3, 2010 in the Large Changing Gallery, promises to be one of the most extraordinary exhibitions that the Chrysler Museum ever has hosted.

Block Statue of a High Official of the Ptolemaic Period Ptolemaic Period, 305-30 B.C. Diorite 15 3/8 x 6 9/16 x 7 7/8 in. (39 x 16.7 x 20 cm) possible place made: Thebes (Karnak), Egypt, Africa Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

As its title suggests, To Live Forever explores the age-old questions of immortality and life after death. For ancient Egyptians, death was an enemy that could be overcome through a bit of ingenuity and careful preparation. If their efforts were successful and the gods were appeased, the end of life on earth was merely a portal to a new beginning.

For its first-ever special exhibition of Egyptian antiquities, the Chrysler has drawn from the extensive holdings of the Brooklyn Museum, renowned as one of the richest collections of such art in the world. More than 120 rare objects—including mummies, coffins, sarcophagi, statuary, jewelry, and funerary shrouds—trace the Egyptians’ all-consuming efforts to outfit their tombs to please the gods, subdue death, and allow them to “live forever” in the afterlife. The Chrysler is proud to be the only Mid-Atlantic venue for this remarkable display of Egyptian artifacts related to their quest to achieve eternal life.

Canopic Jar of Hor Depicting a Jackal Late Period, 664-525 B.C. or later Limestone 11 9/16 (29.3 cm) height x 5 1/4 in. (13.4 cm) diameter place made: Egypt, Africa Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

EVERYBODY LOVES RE
Osirus, Horus, Seth, Re, Isis—all these gods play a part in the exhibition’s introduction on the religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. Their legendary stories unfold amid a rich display of golden coffins, funerary statues, papyri, stone reliefs, amulets, and shabty servant figurines employed to help mere mortals prepare for immortality.

"Ancestral Bust" of a Woman New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19, ca. 1336-1279 B.C. Limestone, painted 10 1/4 x 6 1/8 x 3 3/4 in. (26 x 15.6 x 9.5 cm) place made: Egypt, Africa Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

As To Live Forever moves through the practical process of preparing for death, the focus shifts to mummification, funerals, and tombs. The exhibition features the actual silk-shrouded mummy of a man named Demetrios, as well as the wide variety of everyday and extra-special items the timeless traveler would need to survive in eternity. The exhibition shows the realities faced by rich and poor alike in creating or appropriating such expensive materials to outfit their temples or tombs as eternal resting places.

An exhibition of extraordinary rarity and quality, To Live Forever offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to experience the full range and wonder of the best of ancient Egyptian art, right here in Hampton Roads.

THE PRICE OF IMMORTALITY
Each paid admission to To Live Forever allows guests one full day of viewing this special exhibition.

To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum
* $7 for Adults (18 and older)
* $5 for Seniors, Teachers, Military, and Students with Current ID
* $3 for Children 6-17 (including weekday School Tours from October 14 to December 18. Call (757) 333-6269 or e-mail education@chrysler.org for scheduling or more information).
* Free for Children 5 and younger and Museum Members (unlimited free admission)

Large Outer Sarcophagus of the Royal Prince, Count of Thebes, Pa-seba-khai-en-ipet Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1075-945 B.C. Wood, gesso and paint 37 x 30 1/4 x 83 3/8 in., 287 lb. (94 x 76.8 x 211.8 cm, 130.2kg) Other (Lid): 117.5 lb. (53.3kg) Other (Base): 169.5 lb. (76.9kg) place collected: Deir el Bahri (vicinity), Thebes, Egypt, Africa Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum has been organized by the Brooklyn Museum.

Local presentation of the exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Business Exhibition Council of the Chrysler Museum of Art, For Art’s Sake, and an anonymous friend of the Museum.