In his fourth solo exhibition, Alexandrea ad Ægyptvm (Alexandria-by-Egypt), Mahmoud Saïd presents a contemporary interpretation of Alexandrian art during the Hellenistic (Ptolemaic) period (332–30 BCE). Inspired by Alexandria’s role as a center of mural painting and mosaic arts, the exhibition revisits the visual language of the ancient city through a contemporary lens.
Drawing on art historian Theodor Schreiber’s reading of Alexandrian art, defined by poetic expression, subtle detail, and a balance between realism and idealism, the works reinterpret the artistic spirit of Ptolemaic Alexandria within a present-day context.
Presented as part of the 13th edition of Journées du patrimoine alexandrin 2022, organized by the Centre d’Études Alexandrines (CEAlex), the exhibition opened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Alexandria on 12 November 2022.
