Harry Burton made sure to capture photographically the pharaoh's serene visage, a wooden likeness of the king's face covered with gesso (a plasterlike preparation for gilding or painting) and glistening gold foil. His Face of the Outermost Coffin of Tutankhamun (Spring 1926) is an intimate and up-close portrait of the pharaoh in repose. The vulture and uraeus (serpent emblem) on the boy-king's brow, together representing the king's dominion over Upper and Lower Egypt respectively, are surrounded by an intact miniature wreath of olive leaves and flowers.
To read a full review, please see Special Exhibition Catalogue Review - Tutankhamun's Tomb.
About the catalogue and exhibition:
Duotone reproductions of more than 70 mostly black-and-white vintage images by British photographer Harry Burton (1879-1940) of the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (ruled ca. 1336-1327 B.C.) and its excavation comprise Tutankhamun's Tomb: The Thrill of Discovery (The Photographs of Harry Burton). The volume has been published in conjunction with the special exhibition Discovering Tutankhamun: The Photographs of Harry Burton, on view from December 19, 2006 through April 29, 2007 at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82 Street, New York, NY 10028-0198 (Telephone: 212-535-7710; Website). The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM. SUGGESTED admission is $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for senior citizens (65 and older) and $10.00 for students with valid school identification. This includes same-day admission to The Cloisters in Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park. Paid parking is available in The Museum Garage.
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From your Guide: Stan Parchin, Senior Correspondent for Museums and Special Exhibitions, is a specialist in ancient, late-medieval and Renaissance art and history, and a regular contributor to About Art History. You may read all of his Special Exhibition and Catalogue Reviews here.