'Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty' sheds light on little known Kush region at High Museum

Winged Isis Pectoral, Nubian Artist, Sudan, 538–519 BCE. (Photo courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

The art of Ancient Egypt has fascinated the world for centuries … its style and symbology inspired countless later artists, not to mention philosophies, new religious movements and episodes of “Ancient Aliens.”

But any lover of Egyptian art would do well to recognize that many of the region’s famous achievements — several pyramids among them — were actually created by the peoples of neighboring Nubia, a distinct and fascinating culture that ruled Egypt during the period known as the 25th Dynasty.

Through Sept. 3, the High Museum is welcoming guests to an extraordinary collection of works in their new exhibition, “Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty.” In this interview, “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Lauren Tate Baeza, High Museum curator of African art, about the exhibit.  

“To see how decorative and ornate everything is for death is really an interesting look into a completely different worldview and set of assumptions,” Baeza said.

“Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty” is on view through Sept. 3 at the High Museum. More information is available here.