The Museum of Egyptian Art in Munich dispels stereotypes. You won't see mummies, pharaohs or parts of the pyramids, but precious examples of the art of the ancient world. The interesting thing about this museum is that it is the only one in the world which specialises only in the subject of Egyptian art.
European aristocrats painstakingly assembled this unique collection, which now numbers around 8,000 pieces, of which 2,000 are on display. During the visit to this museum the most tourists are very impressed. Young children will not be interested in the grounds, but schoolchildren should be taken.
A bit of history
The Egyptian Museum is located next to the Glyptothek, not far from the Alte Pinakothek. On Sundays the entrance fee is only €1, so you can save money and visit several museums at once. From the outside, the building is inconspicuous — an austere, concise structure with no architectural frills.
However, the museum is not actually in the building, but underground! To get there, you have to go down in a lift, near which there is a sign informing you that in just a few minutes you will be going back 4,000 years.
The museum is based on the collections of Duke Albrecht of Bavaria and King Ludwig I. The Duke started the collection in the 16th century. At that time, it was fashionable among the European nobility to be fascinated by ancient civilisations. As the countries that succeeded these civilisations were unable to defend themselves, they were plundered by collectors. Now we have the opportunity to become acquainted with unique examples of ancient art.
Later, in 1808, the Duke's exhibits moved to the residence of Crown Prince Ludwig I and were displayed in the Egyptian Hall of the Antiquarium, the Glyptothek. The Glyptothek was later purchased by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and the museum was founded in 1970. In 2013 the Egyptian exhibits were moved to the room opposite the old Kunsthalle on Gabelsberger Straße, where they remain to this day.
Exhibitions at the Museum of Egyptian Art
The museum's exhibits are spread over two floors. Expect to see many sculptures and fragments, busts and bas-reliefs. At the entrance, every tourist is given an audio guide, which is included in the ticket price. The information is only available in German, although the captions on the exhibits are also translated into English.
Children particularly enjoy the interactive exhibits. For example, many visitors are interested in the interactive map of Egypt, which shows the development and decline of the state. Also of interest is the original opportunity to translate an 8 metre long papyrus, the Book of the Dead. Under the display case there is a mobile screen that can be moved across the page to read explanatory texts.
The subject of funerary art is unusual and particularly moving. Ancient civilisations spent a great deal of time on this subject. They placed portraits of the dead on sarcophagi, made detailed drawings or applied masks symbolising the all-seeing eye of the buried. The museum has examples of the posthumous masks of the nobility, and there is even a model of the tomb.
The theme of family is often found in the sculptures. Husband and wife are always embraced, emphasising support and love. If there is a child in the work, it is always between the parents.
You will also learn interesting information about how the bas-reliefs were created. The Egyptians used to hammer out the designs by hand and then hammer them with red clay, which contrasted spectacularly with the white base material. Many displays are devoted to textiles - clothes, simple materials with beautiful patterns and sometimes whole themes. The carpet and jewellery collections are no less interesting.
The last rooms of the museum are dedicated to Numbia, a state neighbouring Egypt. An interactive map shows the development and relations between the two peoples.
The museum has a cloakroom. There are plenty of cafes nearby, so if you get hungry you won't have a problem getting something to eat.
The museum is very interesting and rich in exhibits and is a must for all lovers of antiquity, as well as for schoolchildren and their parents.
