Sebastian Conrad (FU Berlin), The Making of a Global Icon: Nefertiti’s 20th-Century Career
Organized by DIA, together with the Research Group Global Political Thought, UvA
Nefertiti, the queen of the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt, was the great royal wife of pharaoh Akhenaten. The discovery of her stucco coated limestone bust in 1912 marked the beginning of a global career as an iconic image, used for a wide variety of purposes. The silhouette of this powerful Ancient Egyptian queen was admired around the world, from National Socialists, nationalists in Egypt and Bengal, to prominent figures such as Elijah Muhammad and Beyoncé. Since Egypt unsuccessfully demanded its restitution, it is still today a must-see museum piece of the New Museum in Berlin. Against a global backdrop, Sebastian Conrad showcases the often-controversial issues and debates in which the bust of Nefertiti has been embroiled. He argues that its trajectory offers insights into the changing shape of globalization from the era of imperialism to the present day.