Hello, I'm Colin B. Bailey, Director of the Morgan Library and Museum, and I am delighted to welcome you to She Who Wrote; Enheduanna and Women of Mesopotamia.
The exhibition at The Morgan, presents for the first time anywhere a comprehensive collection of artworks expressing rich and shifting expressions of women’s lives in ancient Mesopotamia. These works bear testament to women’s roles in religious contexts as goddesses, priestesses, and worshippers as well as social, economic and political spheres as mothers, workers, and rulers. One particularly remarkable woman who wielded considerable religious and political power was the high priestess and poet Enheduanna who lived around 2300 BC For us, today, she is celebrated as the earliest named author in world literature. The exhibition celebrates her timeless poetry and abiding history as an author, priestess, and woman.
As you move through the gallery, look for the audio symbols to discover commentary narrated by one of the exhibition’s curator, Sidney Babcock. We are particularly grateful to Nimet Hibachy, noted radio broadcaster and opera lecturer, who will recite selections from the writings of Enheduanna. Thank you for joining us at the Morgan. We hope you enjoy your visit.