By Olivia Wynkoop. Bay City News.
Considered the Pharaoh of Pharaohs, known for his ruthless military might, unprecedented building campaign, and leadership that led ancient Egypt to its famed Golden Age, Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, and the dazzling treasures and artifacts surrounding his life are housed in San Francisco.
Until February 2023, the deYoung Museum will host an international traveling exhibition combining ancient objects with cutting-edge technology, called “Ramesses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs.”
It is the only museum on the West Coast to present the collection before it returns to museums in Egypt, likely not to travel again for decades, said Thomas Campbell, director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
"With all the travel fiascos we've all been reading about lately, it's a pleasure to skip the plane ride and be transported to Egypt, right here at the museum, and indeed, even to the feel of the ancient Egyptian tombs," Campbell said at a news conference Thursday.
Visitors can parade through a trove of sarcophagi, masks, ornate tomb treasures and mummified animals, while immersing themselves in highlights of Ramses’ life, such as his monumental victory at the Battle of Kadesh, through immersive multimedia displays.
Not only known for his impressive leadership, Ramesses also lived for an impressive amount of time: he is said to have died around the age of 90 in an era when most were lucky to live to their 30s or 40s.
The exhibition features artifacts from several royal tombs across Egypt to paint a picture of what Ramses' tomb must have contained, said Renee Dreyfus, curator of ancient art.
"During the six decades of his reign, the Egyptian empire flourished and prospered, and Ramses secured and expanded the country's borders," Dreyfus said.
One of the exhibit's organizers, John Norman, executive director of the World Heritage Exhibition, said the team wanted to combine several presentation techniques to provide a special and entertaining experience that is more of a story than a history lecture.
There are cinematic videos, theatrical lighting, automatic show controls and even music composed especially for each gallery, he said.
"These are elements that you don't normally see in an art museum," Norman said.
And for an additional fee, museum visitors can also enter a virtual reality tour, guided by the spirit of Ramses' beloved wife, Nefertari. In the virtual tour, the queen floats through Ramses' iconic temple, Abu Simbel, as well as an animated version of his tomb.
"In an era of so many immersive experiences, there's a lot of junk out there. This is truly an immersive experience that engages all the senses, but with real force," Campbell said.
The exhibit runs from August 20 to February 12, 2023. Tickets are $35 on weekdays or $40 on weekends for adults.
More information about discounted rates for children, seniors and students can be found at deyoungmuseum.org.
Part of the ticket sales will go toward efforts to preserve and excavate ancient artifacts in Egypt, said Egyptian archaeologist and exhibit curator Zahi Hawas, who is also leading efforts to restore Ramses' tomb.
“I really enjoy seeing this exhibition. The technology, the lighting, the beauty, the art… it’s a message from us in Egypt that we are safe and to come and visit us,” Hawas said.
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