De Potter's Grand Tour by Joanna Scott

Author:Joanna Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780374710460
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

The Columbian Exposition

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,” he said in his introductory presentation on the first day of the Columbian Exposition in the spring of 1893, “I am honored to have this opportunity to present to you my little monuments, relics of the oldest known civilization. I trust you will agree with me,” he said, gesturing to the display, “that the figures in De Potter’s Egyptian Pantheon are as beautiful as they are rare.” He held up one of the bronze statuettes mounted on a pedestal, turned it round for his audience to admire. “Let me introduce you to the majestic Osiris, frozen in his regal stance for three thousand years. During his life, Osiris spread the influence of good. He was murdered by his brother Set, the god of evil, who trapped Osiris in a coffin and drowned him in the Nile. He appears to us as a mummy, with his hands uncovered, holding a scepter and scourge, emblems of sovereignty. He wears the crown of Egypt, ornamented with ostrich feathers, which symbolize truth.

“And this sweet goddess here,” he said, gesturing down the row, “is Isis, sister and wife of Osiris, the mistress of all the elements, who represents that which has been and always will be. She is the mother of man, crowned by a vulture, the emblem of maternity.

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