The Egyptian Book of the Dead at the Getty Villa

 

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Pasherashakhet, son of Taber (Detail)
375–275 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.2
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

 
 

The Egyptian Book of the Dead

November 1, 2023 – January 29, 2024

 

Among their rigorous preparations for eternity, ancient Egyptians developed an intricate set of religious writings to help the deceased achieve a blessed afterlife in union with the solar god Re and the netherworld god Osiris. Known collectively as the Book of the Dead, these ritual spells were inscribed on funerary objects, including papyrus scrolls and linen mummy wrappings. This exhibition features a selection of the Getty's Book of the Dead manuscripts, which have never been on public view.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibition Preview

 

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Pasherashakhet, son of Taber
375–275 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.2
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Ushabti for Neferibresaneith
About 570–526 B.C.
Green faience
Tomb of Neferibresaneith, Saqqara, Egypt
2016.2
© Getty Museum

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Pasherashakhet, son of Taber (Detail)
375–275 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.2
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Webennesre
About 1479–1400 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.3
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Mummy Wrapping of Petosiris, son of Tetosiris, with Book of the Dead Spells
300–100 B.C.
Linen
Egypt
83.AI.47.1.4
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Ankhesenaset
About 1069–900 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.6
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Mummy Wrapping of Nanefbastet, son of Taneferher, with Book of the Dead Spells
3rd–1st century B.C.
Linen
Egypt
83.AI.47.3.2
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Book of the Dead Papyrus of Aset
About 1069–900 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46.7
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Mummy Wrapping of Petosiris, son of Tetosiris, with Book of the Dead Spells (Detail)
300–100 B.C.
Linen
Egypt
83.AI.47.1.4
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Group of Papyri, including a Letter and Book of the Dead fragments (8)
1200–30 B.C.
Papyrus and ink
Egypt
83.AI.46
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

Mummy Wrappings with Texts and Vignettes (12)
3rd–1st century B.C.
Linen
Egypt
83.AI.47
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kraus
© Getty Museum

 
News 14, Exhibitions 3Editorial TeamArt of the Ancestors, Steven G. Alpert, Asian Art, Island Southeast Asian Art, Oceanic Art, Asiatica, Ethnographica, Ethnographic Art, Art Collection, Fine Art, Primitive Art, Indonesian Art, Tribal Art, Eyes of the Ancestors, Dr. Reimar Schefold