Bird, after Egyptian Wall Painting c. 1876 - 1878

Curator: Here we have Charles Herbert’s "Bird, after Egyptian Wall Painting," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I sense a calm simplicity, almost meditative. The earthy tones and minimalist lines feel both ancient and modern, somehow. Curator: Herbert, active in the late 19th century, made several copies of Egyptian art. These reproductions reflect the Victorian era's fascination with Egyptology and played a role in disseminating Egyptian aesthetics. Editor: It's interesting how a copy can become its own distinct work. The reduction of detail, the conscious line work, it transforms the original into a new, more graphic statement. It makes me think about appropriation in art. Curator: Yes, and these copies helped to shape the public's understanding of ancient Egypt, even if filtered through a Western lens. Editor: Well, it makes me want to go back to the source! See what Herbert saw, and consider both visions.