February 21–May 5, 2002

Curators: Lauren Talalay and Artemis Leontis

Constantine P. Cavafy (1863-1933), the eminent Greek Alexandrian poet, would no doubt have found himself at home in the Kelsey Museum. He often drew inspiration from the ancient world, particularly the classical and late antique spheres that are so well represented by the Kelsey collections. Cavafy's presence at the Kelsey invites the visitor to contemplate a dialogue between modern poetry and archaeology. Through Cavafy's eyes, the viewer can reconsider the museum's collection of mummy masks, Fayoum portraits, funerary steles, jewelry, textiles, coins, and objects from everyday life.