Visions of Ancient Egypt Supported by Viking

The Sainsbury Centre presents a major new exhibition exploring the enduring appeal of ancient Egypt in art and design from the ancient past to the present day.

Over 150 works drawn from collections in the UK and internationally will examine how ancient Egypt has shaped our cultural imagination. From antiquity, when the Great Pyramid was revered as a wonder of the ancient world, to the Cleopatra of Shakespeare’s stage, this ground-breaking exhibition explores this ongoing engagement with ancient Egypt and charts its many forms across centuries of art and design. The exhibition examines how the iconic motifs and visual styles of Egypt have been re-imagined and re-invented over time – revealing a history closely entwined with conquest and colonial politics.

The exhibition coincides with the 2022 anniversaries of two key events: the bicentenary of Jean-François Champollion’s decipherment of hieroglyphs and the centenary of Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The exhibition will include painting, sculpture, writing, fashion and architecture, alongside photography, film and installation art. It will feature work from artists as wide ranging as Joshua Reynolds, Hector Horeau, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, David Hockney and Chris Ofili alongside works by modern and contemporary Egyptian artists, rarely exhibited in Britain.

Visions of Ancient Egypt Guided Tours

We offer free daily guided tours (from Tuesday to Sunday) for ticket holders at 11am and 11.30am. Spaces are limited. Reserve your place with staff at Gallery Reception. Please note that there will be changes to the schedule during the Christmas period. *

* Wednesday 7 December – no tours
Friday 9 December – no tours
Saturday 17 December – no 11am tour
Sunday 18 December – no 11am tour
Tuesday 20 December – no 11am tour
Wednesday 21 December – no 11am tour
Thursday 22 December – no 11am tour
Friday 23 December to Sunday 25 December – no tours

Image credit: Nefertiti (Black Power), Awol Erizku, 2018 © The Artist, Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts

Exhibition supported by Viking. Founded in 1997, Viking offers culturally enriching, destination-focused river, ocean and expedition cruises for travellers curious about the world, its rich culture and varied history. Viking is the first and only Western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile. Accommodating 82 guests in 41 staterooms, Viking Osiris, a brand new ship built specifically for the Nile River, will launch in 2022.