What's On at Europe's Museums

King Tut's Tomb Treasures

Antikenmuseum, Basel

The Swiss city of Basel is currently hosting the most important exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts to be seen in Europe in over 20 years. "Tutankhamen -- the Golden Beyond" is a collection of more than 50 pieces from the tomb of the mysterious boy pharaoh, as well as 70 other pieces from the tombs of other Egyptian kings. The curators of Basel's Museum of Antiquities worked for over three years to persuade the Egyptian authorities to overrule a ban on the loan of Tutankhamen's tomb relics in order to make the exhibition possible. Some of the objects on display have never before been seen outside Egypt; they were flown to Switzerland in two separate planes so as not to risk losing the entire collection. The last time an exhibition of this magnitude was seen in Europe was in Berlin in 1980. It focused on the life of Tutankhamen, who died mysteriously at 17 before his tomb could be properly prepared. Many of the luxurious items found in his tomb were in fact not designed for him, they were borrowed from other members of the royal family. The Basel exhibition takes a broader view of ancient Egyptian burial practices, and is expected to attract half a million visitors over six months.

"Tutankhamen -- the Golden Beyond" runs until Oct. 3, 2004, and is open Mon. to Sun. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Legendary Film Divas

Museo Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes, Naples

Italy's most beloved female film stars are the subject of an exhibition titled "Divas -- Women in Italian Cinema." The show brings together photographs of important actresses such as Silvana Mangano, Anna Magnani, Claudia Cardinale (photo), Giulietta Masina, Gina Lollobrigida, and Sandra Milo. Also included in the exhibit are film posters and video screenings of famous film scenes from the beginning of Italian silent movies to the present day.

The exhibition runs until May 4 and is open Tue. to Sun. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where Art Meets Design

Institue for Modern Art (IVAM), Valencia

The iron chairs and granite tables of American artist Scott Burton (1939 - 1989) are widely regarded as the successful merging of art and design. Burton was committed to making public art throughout his career. He started with street performances in New York in the late 1960s, but it wasn't until 1977 that his work combining sculpture and furniture began to appear in galleries. Valencia's Institute for Modern Art is a retrospective of Burton's most important works, and includes several pieces on loan from the Tate Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Among the highlights are Bronze Chair, the first work he made, and Concrete Tables (1980 - 81).

IVAM's Scott Burton retrospective runs until May 30, and is open Mon. to Fri. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hopper in Paris

American Museum of Art, Giverny

Edward Hopper was 24 when he visited Paris for the first time in 1906 as part of his plan to travel Europe and see the works of the great masters first hand. He lived in the Rue de Lille, just across the river from the Louvre, in the heart of the city. The exhibit in Giverny titled "Edward Hopper: The Paris Years 1906 - 1910" reflects how Hopper was inspired by his new surroundings. The show includes more than 40 works by the artist, painted during three separate stays in Paris. One of the most important sources of inspiration for the young American was the Louvre itself, and life along the banks of the Seine. The paintings and drawings (almost all of which are on loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art) show the influence of French Impressionism on Hopper (1882 - 1967), a style he later abandoned in favor of stronger realism.

"Edward Hopper: The Paris Years 1906 - 1910" runs until Oct. 31, and is open Tue. to Fri. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.