So large the selection would, of course, not be, if we had only to do with existing paintings. The Old Empire would then first begin with the fourth dynasty, and the Hyksos period would be entirely wanting, because nothing is preserved of an earlier date to the former, and nothing remains of the latter.
But, on the other hand, Egyptian art could be represented more fully, and each painting would have a scientific interest. I had preliminarily made the following selection, which, however, by reason of our great riches in 1,300 drawings, could be enlarged and enlarged in every way.
Mythology.
1. The greater and the lesser gods. First and second Divine dynasty.
2. OSIRIS undertakes the government of the Lower World, (Karnak).
HORUS that of the Upper (Dendera).
3. Divine Triad of THIS and ABYDOS: OSIRIS, ISIS, HORUS.
4. Divine Triad of MEMPHIS: PHTHA, PACHT, IMHOTEP.
5. Divine Triad of THEBES: AMMON-RA, MUT, CHENSU.
Old Empire.