L’Art copte en Egypte
The art of the Egyptian Christians, or Copts, consists primarily of church and monastery architecture, and the sculpture and painting that decorated these and funerary accoutrements. Much reflects themes from Greek and Roman mythology, mixing Christian with pagan symbols and taking on Byzantine and Islamic influences. There’s a palpable sense of fun in the grinning virgins and saints with a mischievous glint in their eye. Finds from the excavations at the turn of the century – dubbed the Egyptian Pompeii – some of which were shown at the Exposition universelle in 1900, are said to have influenced artists such as Matisse and Rodin, and even fashion designers. Look out for the Copt-inspired silk coat by the Venetian textile maestro Mariano Fortuny.
