Visitors and locals have the opportunity to experience a special exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art through July 17.
Queen Nefertari’s Egypt brings to life the role of Nefertari and other powerful women in ancient Egypt through 230 exceptional objects, including statues, jewelry, vases, papyrus, steles, wooden coffins, and stone sarcophagi, as well as tools and various items of daily life from the artisan village of Deir-el-Medina, home to those who created the royal tombs.
Queen Nefertari, the royal wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), is linked to some of the most magnificent monuments of ancient Egypt. Appearing in sculpture and images, and identified in inscriptions on buildings associated with Ramesses II, she is also known through a complete temple consecrated to her in Abu Simbel, beside the one dedicated to her husband. Her tomb is the largest and most richly decorated in the Valley of the Queens. It was discovered in the early 20th century by a team of archaeologists led by Ernesto Schiaparelli, then director of the Museo Egizio in Turin.
Queen Nefertari’s Egypt is organized by the Museo Egizio, Turin, and StArt, in collaboration with the New Orleans Museum of Art. The presentation in New Orleans is made possible by the support of New Orleans & Company; Louisiana Office of Cultural Development; the Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; the Charitable Lead Annuity Trust under the Will of Louis Feil; the Booth-Bricker Fund; the Consulate General of Italy in Houston; Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, a Dignity Memorial provider; Nina Dhurandhar, MD; Mallory Savoie; Elisabeth French; and Kenya and Quentin Messer.
The exhibition opened in mid-March 18 and continues through July 17, with the museum offering extended hours.
NOMA will open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with the exception of May 6, June 3 and July 1. Those dates fall during First Fridays at NOMA, during which the museum will remain open until 10 p.m.
On Tuesdays, the museum’s hours are extended from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. And on Saturdays, NOMA will open from 10 a.m until 5 p.m.
Tickets pricing to see Queen Nefertari’s Egypt at NOMA include:
Adults – $25
Military – $20
Seniors – $20
University Students – $18
Out-of-State Youth Ages 8–19 – $7
The exhibition is free for NOMA members, Louisiana youth ages 19 and under, all children ages 7 and under, and for Taylor Scholars and two guests. Free and reduced admission prices for youth ages 13–19 has been made possible by The Helis Foundation.
Thanks to the Helis Foundation, Louisiana residents receive free general admission to the museum each Wednesday. On Wednesdays, access to Queen Nefertari’s Egypt is only $10 per adult. Visitors are required to show a valid Louisiana ID or proof of residency to take advantage of this special rate.
Library Culture Pass holders also receive free general admission to the museum, with access to this special exhibition for a $10 fee.
