Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut
This over life-size kneeling statue and two others in the collection (30.3.1 and 29.3.1) were made to flank the processional pathway along the axis of Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahri. They depict Hatshepsut as the ideal Egyptian king - a young man in the prime of life. Each statue has an inscription that includes her personal name, Hatshepsut (literally foremost of noblewomen) and/or a feminine pronoun or verb form, so the masculine garb and physique were not intended to trick people into thinking that she was a man.
Although traditionally the Egyptian throne passed from father to son, when the necessity arose, a female ruler was accepted. However, the trappings and symbolism associated with kingship were overwhelmingly masculine and the sculptors of this statue were following a tradition that extended back more than fifteen hundred years. In this tradition, the public image of the king, whether he was an infant, a frail old man or, in this case, a woman, was shown in the most powerful and imposing form – a young, vigorous man, or a human-headed lion-bodied sphinx (31.3.166). In this statue, Hatshepsut wears the nemes-headcloth, false beard, and shendyt-kilt that are part of the standard regalia of the king. On her chest she also wears the same enigmatic amulet suspended on a necklace of tubular beads that is represented on one of the statues representing Hatshepsut as a woman (30.3.3).
Although traditionally the Egyptian throne passed from father to son, when the necessity arose, a female ruler was accepted. However, the trappings and symbolism associated with kingship were overwhelmingly masculine and the sculptors of this statue were following a tradition that extended back more than fifteen hundred years. In this tradition, the public image of the king, whether he was an infant, a frail old man or, in this case, a woman, was shown in the most powerful and imposing form – a young, vigorous man, or a human-headed lion-bodied sphinx (31.3.166). In this statue, Hatshepsut wears the nemes-headcloth, false beard, and shendyt-kilt that are part of the standard regalia of the king. On her chest she also wears the same enigmatic amulet suspended on a necklace of tubular beads that is represented on one of the statues representing Hatshepsut as a woman (30.3.3).
Artwork Details
- Title: Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut
- Period: New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 18
- Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
- Date: ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Senenmut Quarry & Mentuhotep Causeway, MMA excavations, 1927–28
- Medium: Granite
- Dimensions: H. 295.9 cm (116 1/2 in); w. 82.6 cm (32 1/2 in); d. 149.9 cm (59 in)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1930
- Object Number: 30.3.2
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
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