Drawing on the Glyptotek’s unrivalled collection of Palmyran portrait sculptures, this exhibition looks at life in the oasis city, from its development as a trade hub to its expansion as an empire under the warrior-queen Zenobia in the 3rd century AD. Expect theatre: objects animated by a soundscape that harks back to the oasis; a digital reconstruction of one portrait, ‘Beauty of Palymra’; and an installation that recreates a Palmyrene burial chamber Find out more from the Glyptotek’s website.
Preview the exhibition below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Banquet relief of the Priest Malku (c. 146), Palmyra. Photo: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Bust of Yedi Bel (170–90), Palmyra. Photo: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Jewel of Palmyra (190–210), Palmyra. Photo: Tahnee Cracchiol

Stele with Nurbel (150–75), Palmyra. Photo: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Bust of Malku (150–70), Palmyra. Photo: Tahnee Cracchiol
Suzanne Valadon’s shifting gaze