Book of the Dead Papyrus Inscribed for Gautsoshen
Found inside Gautsoshen's Osiris figure (25.3.37a, b) this papyrus is inscribed with Chapter 15, a hymn adoring the sun god, Re, of the Book of Coming Forth by Day (Book of the Dead). The vignette on the right shows the deceased pouring a libation to Osiris, ruler of the netherworld, and his sister-wife Isis. The slim, delicate figures are outlined with red, then painted with a polychrome palette. The vignette was originally made for another Chantress of Amen-re, but her name was erased and Gautsoshen’s added in the space left behind.
The hieratic text of the solar hymn to the left was written by a skilled scribe, with beautiful calligraphy.
The hieratic text of the solar hymn to the left was written by a skilled scribe, with beautiful calligraphy.
Artwork Details
- Title: Book of the Dead Papyrus Inscribed for Gautsoshen
- Period: Third Intermediate Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 21
- Date: ca. 1000–945 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Pit, Burial of Gautsoshen (P4), MMA excavations, 1923–24
- Medium: Papyrus, ink, paint
- Dimensions: L. 120 cm (47 1/4 in.); Frame: L. 123.2 cm (48 1/2 in.); W. 27.9 cm (11 in.); Th. 2.5 cm (1 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.3.32
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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