Ancient Egyptian Art and the Meaning of Beauty: Reflections on the Grand Egyptian Museum (Davis) In-Person
The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) represents a landmark moment in the presentation of ancient Egyptian civilization to the world. Beyond its monumental scale, the museum invites renewed reflection on how ancient Egyptians understood beauty, harmony, and meaning in art.
This public lecture explores the aesthetic principles that shaped ancient Egyptian art, including balance, proportion, symbolism, material selection, and visual order. Rather than viewing ancient artworks as isolated objects, the talk explains how they were part of a broader cultural and religious system in which beauty was closely connected to ideas of permanence, divine order, and cosmic harmony.
Using selected examples of sculpture, reliefs, and architectural elements, the lecture discusses how these aesthetic values are now reinterpreted through modern museum display practices at the Grand Egyptian Museum. By connecting ancient artistic intentions with contemporary exhibition approaches, the lecture highlights how ancient Egyptian art continues to communicate meaning and cultural identity today. The talk will be given by Ahmad Hussein, PhD.
- Date:
- Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Time:
- 3:00 PM
- Branch:
- Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library
- Location:
- Blanchard Room
- Audience:
- Adults (18+)
- Program Type:
- Class History
No reservation required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Davis Public Library. You may request reasonable accommodations 5 days in advance by calling (530) 666-8005. Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yolocountylibrary.org.