Who actually painted the magnificent private tombs of ancient Thebes?
For years, historians assumed the skilled workmen living in Deir el-Medina were the primary creators of the nearby elite Theban Necropolis. This lecture challenges that assumption, investigating the true identity of the artists behind Egypt's most famous funerary art.
The lecture, part of the 'Visualising Egypt' series, examines the complex relationship between the community of artists at Deim el-Medina and the elite cemetery of the Theban Necropolis. By focusing on the 18th dynasty, the presentation addresses the central question of who was responsible for the production of private tombs.
Dimitri Laboury, a professor of ancient Egyptian art history and archaeology at the University of Liège, uses his research into painterly practices and ancient Egyptian society to re-evaluate these historical assumptions. His work explores the diversity of Egyptian art and its enduring influence on contemporary artists.
Source: Spotlight Lecture: Deir el Medina community and the elite Theban Necropolis during the 18th dynasty
