Global Speed: Egyptomania with Bob Brier

In his Global Speed lecture, Bob Brier, aka "Mr. Mummy," discusses why we are so fascinated with ancient Egypt, describing the events that fanned the flames of Egyptomania: Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign, the opening of the Suez Canal, and Paris, London and New York bringing obelisks to their shores. Perhaps the greatest boost to Egyptomania was Howard Carter’s discovery of the intact tomb of Tutankhamen, but the frenzy didn’t stop with the discovery. Later, in the 1970s, traveling exhibitions of the boy-king’s treasures kept keep the momentum going.

About the Speaker
Affectionately known as Mr. Mummy, Dr. Bob Brier is recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on mummies and Egyptology. As Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University/LIU Post in Brookville, New York, he has conducted pioneering research in mummification practices and has investigated some of the world's most famous mummies, including King Tut, Vladimir Lenin, Ramses the Great, Eva Peron (Evita), Marquise Tai (Chinese noblewoman), and the Medici family of Renaissance Italy.

Global Speed is a community lecture series featuring international figures in the art world, to entertain and inform on global art topics.

Originally took place on October 27, 2020.