The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, at the British Museum, London

February 12, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, at the British Museum, London. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, also known as the Tomb of Mausolus, stood as a monumental tomb constructed in Halicarnassus (present-day Bodrum, Turkey) during the period between 353 and 350 BC. It served as the final resting place for Mausolus, the ruler of Caria (377–353 BCE), and his sister-wife Artemisia II of Caria of the Achaemenid Empire, the First Persian Empire. This empire, centred in modern-day Iran, held the distinction of being the world’s largest at the time, encompassing a vast expanse of 5.5 million square kilometres (2.1 million

Amun Ra – King of the gods Statue the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo

February 11, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting a diorite statue of Amun Ra – King of the gods, from the new kingdom, 18th Dynasty at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. This diorite statue from the New Kingdom’s 18th dynasty (1550 to 1292 BC) which was discovered at Karnak, represents Amun, an influential figure among the eight original Egyptian deities. Throughout history, Amun’s significance transformed; during the Middle Kingdom, he ascended to the position of the deities’ leader, and by the New Kingdom, he attained national reverence. Over time, Amun merged with Ra, the ancient sun god, resulting in the amalgamation known as Amun-Ra, with the Karnak Temple serving as the focal point of

The Bacchanal Relief by Aimé Jules Dalou

February 10, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Bacchanal Relief by Jules Dalou at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. This is the first of several versions of Jules Dalou’s Bacchanal. It was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in 1879. There are several versions of this piece including a bronze at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Jules Dalou was born December 31, 1838 in Paris and died April 15, 1902. This relief of painted plaster was made in 1879 by Dalou and shows a drunken orgy which was part of the ancient cult of Bacchus. The word Bacchanal is defined “a wild and drunken celebration” from Bacchus the Greek god of wine.

The Anubis Mask

February 9, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting an original Anubis Mask from the Ancient Egyptian late period, at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Over 2000 years ago, a mask representing Anubis, the jackal-headed ancient Egyptian god associated with embalming and the afterlife, was used by priests in funeral ceremonies, specifically the ‘Opening of the Mouth’ ritual. This ceremony involved touching the mummy’s mouth, eyes, nose, and ears to restore the senses. The mask, crafted from gilded wood and glass, originates from the New Kingdom and was discovered at the archaeological site in Armant. In different contexts, Anubis, like many other ancient Egyptian deities, played varying roles. During the Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BC), Osiris took over Anubis’s

The Canopic Shrine of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo

February 8, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting The Canopic Shrine of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Discovered in the Valley of the Kings, the Canopic Shrine of Tutankhamun, dating back to the Egyptian 18th Dynasty, is crafted from gilt wood. Resting on a wooden ledge, the shrine houses an alabaster canopic box containing Tutankhamun’s mummified internal organs. The term “canopic” refers to objects associated with ancient Egyptian embalming, such as vases, urns, or jars. The shrine itself, made of wood coated with gesso and covered with sheet gold, stands at a height of six and a half feet. A silver overlay embellishes the wooden sledge. Noteworthy are the depictions of the protecting Goddesses—Isis, Selkit, Nephthys,

The War of Troy Tapestry

February 7, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting The War of Troy tapestry at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Woven from a combination of wool and silk, this impressive tapestry spans over four meters in height and extends to a length of seven meters. Originally, it constituted one piece among a series of 11 hangings recognized as The Trojan War tapestries. When exhibited collectively, these hangings, if laid side by side, would have reached an astonishing length exceeding 100 meters. The production of multiple sets of The Trojan War tapestries was undertaken, finding a place of prominence within the palaces of some of Europe’s most influential individuals. The War of Troy tapestry is from 1475-1490, Tournai,

Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt

February 6, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. The Baron Empain Palace better known as “The Hindu Palace” is a distinctive and historic Hindu temple inspired mansion in Heliopolis, a suburb north-east of central Cairo, Egypt. It was founded by Edward Empain, a Belgian businessman who was awarded the title of “Baron” by the King of Belgium. The palace was designed by an architect named Alexandre Marcel inspired mostly by the Hindu temples of South India and was built between 1907 and 1911, in reinforced concrete. Heliopolis style is an early 20th-century architectural style developed in the new suburb of Heliopolis. Édouard Empain arrived in Egypt in January 1904,

Tour of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

February 5, 2024

In this episode, I’ll be taking you on a little tour of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam which I visited in 2023. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Situated in Amsterdam South, close to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to showcasing the artworks of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. Opening its doors on 2 June 1973, the museum holds the world’s most extensive collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings. Vincent van Gogh’s demise in 1890 led to his unsold works passing into the possession of his brother, Theo. Following Theo’s death just six months later, the collection fell to his widow, Johanna. In an effort to promote awareness of Vincent’s art, Johanna sold many of

Niobe Head at the Egyptian Civilization museum in Cairo

February 4, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Niobe Head at the Egyptian Civilization museum in Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. This 2nd century AD marble head was found in Luxor. Achilles referred to her in Homer’s Iliad, recounting her arrogant pride. In response, Leto punished her by sending Apollo and Artemis to eliminate all her offspring. Subsequently, her children remained unburied for nine days, during which she refrained from consuming any food. She was also mentioned in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. The museum label tells us: “Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, king of Phrygia in Asia Minor, and the wife of Amphion of Thebes, who founded the Greek city of Thebes and built its walls, the Greeks considered her a

Svalbard Museum and Longyearbyen

February 3, 2024

Today I’ll be taking you on a video and photographic tour of the Svalbard Museum and Longyearbyen. Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Svalbard, previously known as Spitsbergen is a Norwegian archipelago situated in the Arctic Ocean. Its capital is Longyearbyen, positioned on the west coast of the main island. In the 17th and 18th centuries, whalers navigating the far north utilized these islands as a base. Subsequently, the archipelago faced abandonment. Coal mining commenced in the early 20th century, leading to the establishment of permanent communities like Pyramiden and Barentsburg. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 acknowledges Norwegian sovereignty, while the Norwegian Svalbard Act of 1925 formally integrates Svalbard into the Kingdom of Norway. This treaty designates Svalbard as both a