Procession from the Temple of Amun

Art Historical Context

This striking facsimile captures a lively procession from the Temple of Amun at Karnak, originally painted Egypt’s New Kingdom, 19 (ca. 1279–1213 B.C.). Created by artist Charles K. Wilkinson in 1923–1924 using tempera on paper at full scale, it faithfully reproduces the vibrant colors and dynamic figures of the ancient wall painting. Wilkinson’s meticulous copy allows modern viewers to appreciate details that have faded or been lost from the original temple surfaces over millennia. The scene likely depicts participants in a sacred festival, complete with offerings and celebratory elements suggested by its thematic tag, “Drink-and-Be-Merry.” In ancient Egyptian culture, such processions honored the god Amun and reinforced the pharaoh’s divine connection to the temple. The New Kingdom era marked a peak in Egyptian artistic expression, with bold outlines, rich pigments, and rhythmic compositions designed to convey both religious devotion and earthly joy. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Egyptian Art collection, this 1:1 reproduction highlights the museum’s early 20th-century efforts to document and preserve Egypt’s artistic heritage through careful facsimiles. It offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the festive rituals that once animated one of ancient Egypt’s most important religious centers.

About the Artist

Charles K. Wilkinson · 1897–1986

Charles K. Wilkinson (1897–1986), born Charles Kyrle Wilkinson in London on October 13, 1897, was the son of Horace W. Wilkinson, a stained-glass window maker, and Frances Adkins. Serving in World War I, he honed his artistic skills at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, where the influential director Henry Tonks shaped the rigorous training of a generation of draughtsmen. In ...