In an unexpected fusion, 20th-century Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti’s slender, evocative works will grace the Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thirteen loans from the Paris-based Fondation Giacometti and three pieces from The Met’s collection will adorn the first-century BCE Roman Period temple this summer.

The exhibition, titled 'Giacometti in the Temple of Dendur', aims to inspire an understanding of the structure as a living sacred environment. Among the 17 sculptures, many depict feminine figures, echoing the lean, ancient Egyptian art etched into the temple’s walls.

Fondation Giacometti Curator Emilie Bouvard explains that the sculptor, who was drawn to Ancient Egyptian art from a young age, saw it as a blend of naturalism and symbolism. This exhibition offers a rare perspective on his oeuvre, juxtaposing his works with the profound historical and architectural significance of the temple.

The Temple of Dendur became one of The Met’s iconic exhibits after being gifted to the United States by Egypt in 1965. The museum acquired it in 1967, reconstructing it brick-by-brick in its Sackler Wing before removing the family name from the exhibition space following protests over their role in the opioid epidemic.

Met Curator of Modern Art and Senior Research Coordinator Stephanie D’Alessandro states that Giacometti’s sculptures will sharpen our understanding of his lifelong effort to distill human presence into its most essential form, enhancing our appreciation for both his work and the temple’s timeless beauty.