The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt

With contributions by Betsy M. Bryan, Terence DuQuesne, Fayza Haikal, and Erik Hornung. — Wachington: National Gallery of Art, 2002. — 256 p.The Quest for Immortality combines aesthetically fine examples of Egyptian art with a fascinating glimpse into what the ancient Egyptians believed would occur in the world to which they journeyed after death. Highlighting masterpieces from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum, and other collections in Egypt, the exhibition and accompanying catalog include several works that have not been publicly displayed before, and many that have never been shown outside Egypt. Included are sculpture, sarcophagi, and reliefs—objects that facilitated communication with deities, kings, and other intermediaries, made in the hope of guaranteeing an eternal and organized world. The catalog provides readers an opportunity to learn about the religion and burial customs of the ancient Egyptians through the treasures, tomb decorations, and artifacts they left behind.