Brooklyn Museum. Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art.

Beginning in 1898, a year after the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences opened the central museum building, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects through private donations and sponsored excavations. Prior to 1932, when the Department of Antiquities was created, the Museum acquired Egyptian and classical objects through the efforts and guidance of William H. Goodyear, the first curator of the Department of Fine Arts. By the mid-1930s, the newly established curatorial department was also funneling resources into scholarly publications, exhibitions and installations, preservation, and special projects.

Goodyear acquired the first Egyptian objects from the Museum through the donation of Amelia B. Edwards in 1898 and steadily worked to enhance the collection. Egyptologists Henri and Jacques de Morgan and Armand de Potter were important contributors of artifacts in these early years. The Museum also acquired objects directly through archaeological excavations, developing an important and ongoing relationship with the Egypt Exploration Fund, based in Britain and later known as the Egypt Exploration Society.

In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund was crucial to the future of Egyptology at the Museum, establishing both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

The Museum hired Egyptian archaeologist Jean Capart as Honorary Curator of Egyptology in the new department. Under his guidance, the gallery space for Egyptian objects was reorganized and officially opened on May 19, 1933 as the Charles Edwin Wilbour Memorial Hall. The Museum also created a new classical division within the department in order to better care for a small but steadily growing collection of objects of ancient Greek and Roman origin, including a quantity of bronzes, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and terracottas acquired through purchases and loans.

During John D. Cooney's first year as curator in 1936, the department renovated storage space to adequately house the collection and they published the Wilbour Diary, a record of the activities and discoveries of Charles Edwin Wilbour. Also at this time the New-York Historical Society decided to lend the Museum its collections of Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities in the hopes that the Brooklyn Museum would be better equipped to house and display these objects. Installed separately in the Wilbour Hall, the Society's objects greatly enhanced the Brooklyn Museum's collection and would be officially acquired in 1948.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In 1956, Bernard Bothmer joined the staff of the department. One of his early curatorial accomplishments included the organization of the exhibition Egyptian Sculpture of the Late Period (1960) featuring objects from institutions in Egypt, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Bothmer also organized an important excavation at Mendes beginning in 1964.

In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

The Records of the Department of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art document the growth of the Egyptological and classical collections at the Brooklyn Museum prior to the creation of the department in 1932 and continuing through the 1990s. The records document the work of the various curators, administrative functions of the department, the expansion of the collection and organization of exhibitions, and special projects such as excavations and publications. The bulk of the records regarding these types of projects, however, remain in the department as active files.

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).

Beginning in 1898, the Museum began actively collecting Egyptian and classical objects either through private donations or sponsored excavations. In 1916, the heirs of noted Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour donated objects from Wilbour's collection and his Egyptological library. The generosity of the Wilbour family had a profound impact on the Museum in 1932, when the bequest of Victor Wilbour, the only son of Charles, established the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund to enlarge the Egyptian collections. The Wilbour Fund established both the Wilbour Library of Egyptology containing Wilbour's extensive Egyptological books and a curatorial department for ancient Egyptian art: the Department of Antiquities.

From mid-century onward there was continual development of the collection, including the allocation of resources for excavations, exhibitions, scholarly publications, and installations, the latter of which began to focus on displaying works that emphasized art history rather than ancient history, religion, and archaeology. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s the department focused on the reinstallation of several galleries. And from the 1980s onward, the department began to dedicate more resources to preserving objects already in the collection, to 'resurrecting' interesting objects from storage and putting them on view, and to the ongoing reinstallations of the Egyptian galleries.

Selected curators of the Department of Egyptian, Classical & Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Edwin L.M. Taggart (1930-1936); Jean Capart (1932-1940); John Ducey Cooney (1934-1963); Elizabeth Riefstahl (1937-1982); Bernard V. Bothmer (1956-1982); Donald P. Hansen (1963); Richard A. Fazzini (1967-); Jean Lewis Keith (1964-1970); Barbara (Biri) Alice Fay (1969-1976); Robert S. Bianchi (1976-1992); James F. Romano (1979-2003); Edna (Ann) R. Russmann (1989-); Edward Bleiberg (1998-).