Nefertiti Bust’s History Explored in Amsterdam

Why this is here: The Nefertiti bust, discovered in 1912, is only about half a meter tall yet quickly became a sensation when exhibited in Berlin.

In Amsterdam, Spui25 will present an examination of the bust of Queen Nefertiti, excavated in 1912 by German archeologists along the Nile. The roughly half-meter tall bust quickly drew immense attention when displayed at Berlin’s Neues Museum. The presentation will revisit the story of the iconic sculpture.

The exhibition arrives after decades of discussion regarding orientalism, colonialism, and art theft. Despite these important conversations, the author expresses a longing for a time when cultures widely engaged with ancient civilizations.

Ragnar Kjartansson’s film, exploring the repetition of memory triggered by a postcard, will be shown at the Holland Festival. The Design Museum Den Bosch currently hosts “Form and Fatherland,” an exhibition detailing the early history of nationalism as a concept linked to culture. The Nefertiti exhibit continues a focus on symbols and how they develop meaning.