Bright Eyes by John Everett Millais at the Aberdeen Art Gallery

March 16, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting Bright Eyes by John Everett Millais at the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Scotland. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. John Everett Millais, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was born in Southampton, England in 1829 and he painted the oil on canvas Bright Eyes in 1877. It was an Alexander Macdonald Bequest in 1901. The Aberdeen Art Gallery tell us: “Alexander Macdonald was a wealthy granite merchant and art collector from Aberdeen. He bought Bright Eyes the year it was painted. It hung in his dining room until it was donated to the Gallery after the death of his widow in 1901, along with the rest of his collection. He also established a

Roman Hercules Bust at the British Museum, London

March 4, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Roman ‘Hercules’ Bust at the British Museum, London. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. We are looking at a Roman ‘Hercules’ Bust from the 2nd Century AD which is made of marble and is in the corner of the enlightenment room at the British Museum. The actually bust represents the Greek hero Herakles who was the Roman hero Hercules. This statue is a copy of a bronze original by the renown Greek sculptor Lysippos who was from the 4th century BC. Lysippos is considered one of best sculptors of all time, in fact he’s known as being one of the top three of classical Greek sculptor – although it’s a challenge to identify his

The God’s Wife of Amun & The God’s Wife | Ancient Egyptian Granite Statue

March 1, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting ‘The Gods Wife’ at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Originating from the ancient Egyptian third intermediate period (1069 – 747 BC), this granite statue represents ‘The Gods Wife.’ The role was a significant religious institution in ancient Egypt and was fulfilled by women from the reigning royal family. These women served as intermediaries or links between the god and the king. During this period, a very similar title and role existed: The God’s Wife of Amun. My understanding is that they were actually different roles though. This royal title was typically held by women connected to the king, either as wives or mothers. The God’s

The Ceremonial Throne of Tutankhamun

February 27, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Ceremonial Throne of Tutankhamun. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. I previously took you to on a tour of the Gilded Wooden Golden Throne of Tutankhamun from the Egyptian 18th Dynasty (1336-1327 BC) which was one of the many treasures found in the Pharaoh’s burial chamber. That’s made of wood with golden gilding, silver, glass, and precious gemstones. You will notice that it’s a very different style and aesthetic to this ceremonial one. They’re displayed very close to each other at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Ceremonial Throne of Tutankhamun is, of course from the same Egyptian 18th Dynasty. Interestingly, six chairs were buried with Tutankhamun in his burial chamber and surrounding area.

The Colossal head of the god Serapis at The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo

February 23, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Colossal head of the god Serapis at The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. This was created during the Roman period, around the 2nd century AD and is made of marble. It represents Serapis, a deity combining attributes of Osiris and Apis. The cult of Serapis became linked to themes of life after death and agricultural abundance, intertwining aspects of both Egyptian and Greek beliefs. The extensive popularity of Serapis can be attributed to the Greek Pharaoh Ptolemy I, who sought to unify the subjects of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, combining Greek and Egyptian influences. Under Ptolemy I’s orders, a cult statue of Serapis was erected in Alexandria. This

Woman Bathing by Edgar Degas

February 20, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting Woman Bathing by Edgar Degas at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King.

The Granite Statue of Khonsu | Ancient Egypt Revealed

February 16, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting a statue of Khonsu from the ancient Egyptian new kingdom at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. This granite statue of Khonsu is from the ancient Egyptian new kingdom, 18th Dynasty. Khonsu was the ancient Egyptian god of the Moon. He was generally depicted youthfully. His name means “traveller” which probably relates to how it looked like the moon travelled across the sky. He, alongside Thoth, oversaw the flow of time. Khonsu played a crucial role in the genesis of life across all living beings. In Thebes, he constituted a familial triad known as the “Theban Triad,” where Mut served as his mother and Amun as his