Art in Egypt

Sir Gaston Maspero was a French Egyptologist, archaeologist, and art historian who served as one of the primary architects of modern Egyptian antiquities preservation. Born in Paris and educated at the École Normale Supérieure, Maspero went on to serve as the long-running Director General of the Service of Antiquities of Egypt. In this powerful role, he directed historic excavations, oversaw the relocation of priceless artifacts into what would become the Cairo Museum, and famously fought against the illicit excavation and smuggling of ancient treasures. Celebrated for his prolific academic writing and his unique ability to translate dense archaeological data into accessible narratives, Maspero remains a foundational figure in the history of Egyptology alongside pioneers like Auguste Mariette and Howard Carter.

Divided into four comprehensive parts, the text traces the entire trajectory of Egyptian artistic heritage, charting its origins in the prehistoric era, exploring its religious iconography and hieroglyphic symbolism, analyzing its distinct architectural and sculptural styles, and mapping its eventual stylistic integration into Greek and Roman civilizations. Meticulously detailed and ahead of its time, the book features 565 black-and-white inline text figures alongside several full-page color plates showcasing lesser-known treasures directly out of the Cairo Museum collections.

Dark gray canvas covered boards with gilt lettering to spine and cover. Bookplates to interior board and preliminary fly leaf. Stamp from BYU Museum of Fine Arts Collection on flyleaf as well. Rubbing to extremities and sone chipping to spine. Corners bumped. Intact. Illustrations throughout. Fair condition.