The document provides a review and analysis of the Antiquities exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, with a focus on the Egyptian arts section. It describes the different artifacts from Egypt, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East on display. It analyzes features of Egyptian art like the use of gold and symbolic animals. While the craftsmanship was less refined than Greek and Roman works, the reviewer was glad they viewed the Egyptian arts in depth as it caught their interest and they wanted to learn more about its complex symbolic nature.

1. Critique of the Museum
Fine Arts, Houston

2. I took a look into the Antiquities
Exhibit
Egyptian Arts!

3. Description
• “The Antiquities” is an exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts and
consists of a many different arts from the ancient cultures of Egypt,
Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East.
• The different artifacts from the exhibit allows the viewer to have an
interpretation of the different styles and objects found in the ancient
culture.
• In the Egyptian portion of the Antiquities exhibit is in the center of
many other surrounding rooms with other portions of the exhibit.
When you first enter the facility the first portion you encounter is the
Egyptians.

4. Analysis
• Gold often is used on the material of their art. As well as animals to
support their symbolism and tombs to showcase their belief in
eternal rest.
• When you compare Egyptian art to that of the Romans or Greek, it’d
be hard to truly understand the concept due to its abstract
complexion.
• Egyptian art, just like Roman and Greek, put an emphasis on God. In
ancient Egypt, royalty showed a heavy significance in their culture.
• The craftsmanship of the artwork was poorer compared to the
Romans or Greeks.

5. Interpretation
• At first glance, you can’t really wrap your head around what the
Egyptian art stood for or why it was relevant. This reason is what
made me want to do the Egyptian art because of its complex nature.
• The praise for the royal and elite is apparent in their artwork and it
shows their importance of the elite.
• Viewing some of the hieroglyphics helped me visualize the
communication in Egypt and how it might have portrayed an elite
status.

6. Judgement
• I am glad I chose to view the Egyptian arts in depth. When I viewed
the exhibit, I ended up wanting to learn more about it.
• Egyptian art might not be as popular as Roman or Greek art, but it
caught my eye first.
• There is nothing you can compare it to, the Egyptian arts are simply
just one of a kind.

7. Monumental Statue of the Pharaoh Ramesses II Enthroned
Reign of Ramesses II, 1279 – 1212 B.C.
Granodiorite

8. Model Boat
Middle Kingdom, c. 2055-1784 B.C.
Painted wood

9. A pair of Reliefs depicting Ankh-neb-ef
Old Kingdom, c. 2150 B.C., Reign of Pharaoh Pepy II
Limestone with paint

10. Critique
• The statue, like I said earlier, is all covered in gold. It showed a lot of
symbolism of that of Egypt.
• The rowing boat is quite interesting to see as well. It reminds of a
movie call Return of the Mummy that I watch a few years ago in the
Ancient Egyptian setting.
• The mixture of hieroglyphics and pictures is eye catching. Although I
am not sure what it says, I would love to find out.

11. My experience!
• It was a very insightful trip! Looking at all of the different types of
artifacts was really interesting.
• It was my first time ever to the Museum of Fine Arts and I’m glad I
went. I used to think it wasn’t exciting but after going, I would not
mind going again!

12. More photos!