Wednesdays, September 9 – September 30, 2 – 4pm
Anubis Attending to the Mummy of Amennakht (detail), c. 1292–1189 BCE. 19th Dynasty New Kingdom wall painting from Theban Tomb 218, Deir el-Medina, Egypt
$220; members $198
(4 classes)
About the Class
Set against sun-drenched deserts and the verdant banks of the Nile, ancient Egypt’s architecture, symbolic imagery, and rich visual language continue to capture the human imagination. But beyond the pyramids, gods, and pharaohs lies a deeper story about how art shaped everyday life.
In this four-session online course, we’ll explore how ancient Egyptians experienced their worlds, from the monuments of kings to the houses of everyday people. We will move past familiar myths to study how artworks were experienced through movement, ritual, environment, sound, and light.
We’ll also consider the role of artists and patrons, the connection between art and the Nile landscape, and the ways visual culture communicated power, memory, and belief across millennia.
The class is online-only. More about online classes.
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Barnes classes will:
- Sharpen your observational and critical-thinking skills.
- Improve your ability to communicate about art.
- Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.
Instructor
Carl Walsh
Walsh is a curator in the exhibitions department at New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World and previously worked at Brown University and the Barnes. He earned a BA in Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and a PhD in archaeology from University College London.
What Students Are Saying
“Joe Tokumasu Field was a wonderful instructor. He’s patient, caring, and skilled at interacting with students’ questions and comments.” —The Japanese American Century with Joseph Tokumasu Field
“This was an exciting course with fascinating and informative lectures and well-chosen pictures. Franits is a brilliant teacher.” —17th-Century Dutch Art’s “Holy Trinity”: Hals, Rembrandt, and Vermeer with Wayne Franits
“The instructor was outstanding in every way—an expert in the subject, enthusiastic about the material, solicitous and supportive of students’ observations, and brilliant in expanding our discussion as warranted. The best Barnes instructor I’ve had, by far.” —The Nabis: Late 19th-Century Prophets of the New with Larissa Bailiff
“I enjoyed the course very much and liked how each week focused on a different topic relevant to the subject. Caterina is an engaging speaker, and you can tell she loves what she is teaching. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor come through.” —Famous Heists: Crimes in the History of Art with Caterina Pierre
“I felt at peace afterward and appreciated the art so much more than before.” —Being Present with Art: Cultivating Balance for Spring with Roksana Filipowska
Go Further
Close-Looking Immersion: Matisse’s Still Life with Gourds
Spend an hour closely observing Matisse’s Still Life with Gourds through guided discussion and immersive digital viewing. Instructor: Kaelin Jewell