The Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1650 B.C.) is one of the most fascinating and yet little-known periods of Egyptian history. It witnessed the transformation of many of the cultural principles set out at the beginning of Egyptian civilization and formalized over a millennium. Ideas concerning kingship, society, religious practices, afterlife beliefs, and relations with neighboring peoples were renewed and reimagined. These innovations were expressed in many aspects of Egyptian culture but today remain most visible in astonishing works of art, architecture, and literature that have survived for more than four thousand years.

Composed of the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Dynasties, the Middle Kingdom was dominated by pharaohs named Mentuhotep, Amenemhat, and Senwosret, whose compelling images are displayed in these galleries. The exhibition presents the Middle Kingdom with introductory sections describing how the period began, followed by an exploration of the kings, queens, princesses, and courtiers who dominated the epoch. It concludes with the era's rich understanding of life, death, and religious belief. Objects embodying these concepts range from monumental to tiny, ranking simultaneously among the most imposing and sensitive ever created in ancient Egypt.