Exploring The Denver Art Museum

Whether it is true or not, it is said that you can never truly experience a place until you have experienced its culture through the cherished art. One of the places that you must visit while in Denver, Colorado is the Denver Art Museum.

Not only does this museum feature local art, but art from all over the world. The greatest attraction that is in the museum right now is King Tutankhamen.

This exhibit contains up to 130 of the objects found buried with King Tut in his tomb. Other objects that were placed with other Egyptian pharaohs can also be seen on display here.

The King Tut exhibit will not stop anywhere else along the Rocky Mountains. Unless you are willing to travel half way across the world, this may be your only opportunity to see it.

This exhibit will be present through January 9 of 2011. The King Tut exhibit was created by the National Geographic, Arts, and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions.

Of course, they had to obtain the permission to feature these objects from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. The name of the exhibit is officially Tutankhamen: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs.

Fifty of the objects on display come directly from King Tut’s tomb. One of the objects on display is the golden sandals that were on the mummy’s feet and a beautifully decorated canopic jar that held the King’s internal organs.

The display also features a ten foot tall statue of King Tut which was discovered at the funerary temple of his two highest officials. It is incredible that the statue is still mostly covered by its original layer of paint.

This statue is the largest image of the King that has been discovered so far. In addition to the objects that are directly related to King Tut, there are over 80 other objects which belong to other important rulers of Egypt.

The other leaders that are represented include Khefren, the pharaoh whose giant pyramid is the only surviving wonder out of seven of the ancient times. Another important ruler that is represented is Hatshepsut, the queen who became the king.

Most of the objects included in this exhibit were not part of the 1970’s King Tut exhibit tour in the United States. In fact, this is the first time most of the objects have even visited the Americas.

The display is so large that the Denver Art Museum has reserved two whole gallery spaces in order to display all of the objects. The King Tut exhibit will be located in the Anschutz Gallery and the Gallagher Family Gallery.

These galleries will be a lot of fun to visit with children because the exhibit begins with a short National Geographic video on the stories of ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. The video is narrated by Harrison Ford acting as Indiana Jones.

One of the galleries will feature an area devoted to the British explorer Howard Carter, who was responsible for the discovery of the tomb of King Tutanhamen. The tomb was found in 1922 and it has added many interesting facts to the history of Egypt that was previously known.

In addition to these intriguing videos and displays, there will be an area where children will be allowed t dress up as an Egyptian. There will also be an area where children can make an Egyptian collar or explore more of the history of Egypt through various books.

Likewise, the display will have specific days where there will be additional activities for children. Some days will be designed fro toddlers while others will target older children.

In addition, there will be an after hours event for young adults that will include lectures and workshops on ancient Egypt. There will be much to learn about and explore here.

The museum is also featuring many other wonderful art exhibits from several different artists. These exhibits include Exposure: Photos from the Vault, A Visual Alphabet: Herbert Bayer’s Anthology Paintings, Charles Deas & 1840s America and March Brandenburg: Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft.

Of course the museum also features at least twelve permanent exhibits that are exquisite. The permanent exhibits include African Art, American Indian Art, Architecture, Design & Graphics, Asian Art, European & American Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, Oceanic Art, Photography, Pre-Colombian Art, Spanish Colonial Art, Textile Art, and Western American Art.

The Denver Art Museum is a must see for every visitor. There is a lot to see, experience and explore.

Terry Daniels has worked as a travel agent for the last 35 years and written several of articles about things to do in Denver.

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Terry Daniels
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