The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Special Exhibitions: Discovering Tutankhamun: The Photographs of Harry Burton


	Current Exhibitions
	Upcoming Exhibitions
	Past Exhibitions
	Traveling Exhibitions

Discovering Tutankhamun: The Photographs of Harry Burton

Back to main page for this exhibition



Harry Burton and Howard Carter. MMA Burton photo 211301.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Images
Map of the Necropolis
Plan of the Tomb

On November 4, 1922, after a seven-year search, the British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. On November 24 in the presence of his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, he opened the tomb and found "wonderful things." Carter soon realized the enormous task that lay ahead in removing, recording, and preserving the thousands of objects that filled the four chambers of the tomb. He sought the assistance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and its Theban Expedition, which generously lent several staff members, including the photographer Harry Burton. Over the next ten years, Burton photographed many of the more than 5,000 objects found in Tut's tomb, both in situ and in his studio, on some 1,400 glass-plate negatives. In addition to his work in black and white, Burton also photographed many objects in color and made movies of the objects as they were removed from the tomb.

Harry Burton (1879–1940) was trained in art photography in Florence, Italy. In 1914 he went to Egypt to photograph the Theban tombs for the Museum. His masterful use of natural and artificial light, as well as his experience and high standards, make the photographs not only valuable scientific records but also works of art. Burton remained in Egypt after the Metropolitan ceased excavating in 1935, and continued to record the monuments. He died there in 1940 and is buried in the American cemetery in Asyut.

About the Photographs on View

The exhibition includes Harry Burton's spectacular black-and-white images of the entrance passage to the tomb, the opening of the sealed chambers inside, the first view of the contents and removal of the objects, and the beautifully made and decorated treasures that were found. The four chambers of the tomb were crammed with objects such as gold-covered chariots; elaborately inlaid furniture and chests; a vast array of the king's personal belongings, including jewelry; a series of shrines and coffins that protected the king; and the famous solid-gold mask that adorned his mummy—one of the most iconic examples of ancient Egyptian art ever to have come to light.

Exhibition Organizers

The exhibition is organized by Susan J. Allen. Exhibition design is by Michael Langley, Senior Exhibition Designer; graphics are by Norie Morimoto, Graphic Designer; and lighting is by Clint Ross Coller and Richard Lichte, Senior Lighting Designers, all of the Metropolitan Museum's Design Department.

Related Publication

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Tutankhamun's Tomb: The Thrill of Discovery, published by the Metropolitan Museum and distributed by Yale University Press. Photographs by Harry Burton; text by Susan J. Allen, with an introduction by James P. Allen, 2006.

Visit the online Met Store to learn more about the Tutankhamun's Tomb: The Thrill of Discovery and other items related to this exhibition.

Timeline of Art History

Several essays related to this exhibition are available on the Museum's Timeline of Art History, including "Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt", "Egypt in the New Kingdom", "Egyptian Tombs: Life Along the Nile", a list of ancient Egyptian and Nubian rulers, and more.

Search the Timeline of Art History for more information related to this exhibition.

Suggested Reading List

All of the photographs taken by Harry Burton in the Tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as Howard Carter's notes and tomb cards can be found on the Griffith Institute website at http://www.ashmolean.museum/gri/4tut.html.

Arnold, D. The Royal Women of Amarna: Images of Beauty from Ancient Egypt. New York, 1996.

Carter, H. E., and A. C. Mace. The Tomb of Tut·ankh·amen, Discovered by the Late Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter, 3 vols. New York, 1923–33.

Eaton-Krauss, M. The Sarcophagus from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Oxford, 1985.

Eaton-Krauss, M., and E. Graefe. The Small Golden Shrine from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Oxford, 1985.

Edwards, I. E. S. Tutankhamun: His Tomb and Its Treasures. New York, 1976.

Hawass, Z. Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Washington, D.C., 2005

Johnson, G. B. "Painting with Light: The Work of Harry Burton, Archaeological Photographer," with a biographical essay by Marsha Hill. KMT 8:2 (Spring 1997), pp. 58–77.

el-Khouli, A., R. Holthoer, C. A. Hope, and O. E. Kaper. Stone Vessels, Pottery and Sealings from the Tomb of Tutankahmun. Oxford, 1994.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Wonderful Things: The Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb. New York, 1976.

Reeves, C. N. The Complete Tutankhamun: the King, the Tomb, the Royal Treasure. London, 1995.

Tutankhamun's Tomb Series. Griffith Institute, Oxford 1963–

No. 1. H. Murray and M. Nuttall. A Handlist of Howard Carter's Catalogue of Objects in Tutankhamun's Tomb. 1963.

No. 2. J. Cerný. Hieratic Inscriptions from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1965.

No. 3. W. McLeod. Composite Bows from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1970.

No. 4. W. McLeod. Self Bows and Other Archery Tackle from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1982.

No. 5. F. Filce Leek. The Human Remains from The Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1972.

No. 6. L. Manniche. Musical Instruments from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1976.

No. 7. W. J. Tait. Game Boxes and Accessories from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1982.

No. 8. M. A. Littauer and J. H. Crouwel. Chariots and Related Equipment from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1985.

No. 9. D. Jones. Model Boats from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. 1990.

Photograph Credits