Seated Statue of Hatshepsut
In this life-size statue, Hatshepsut is shown wearing the nemes-headcloth and the shendyt-kilt. These are part of the ceremonial attire of the Egyptian king, which was traditionally a man's role. In spite of the masculine dress, the statue has a distinctly feminine air, unlike most representations of Hatshepsut as ruler (for example, two over life-size statues that represent her kneeling, 30.3.1, and standing, 28.3.18). The kingly titles on the sides of the throne are feminized to read "the Perfect Goddess, Lady of the Two Lands," and "Bodily Daughter of Re."
Traces of blue pigment are visible in some of the hieroglyphs on the front of the statue and a small fragment on the back of the head (see attached photograph) shows that the pleats of the nemes-headcloth were originally painted with alternating blue and yellow pigments.
Statues that depict Hatshepsut in a more feminine form, like this one, are in a seated pose, with hands flat on the knees. This suggests that they were intended to receive offerings and would probably have been placed in less public areas of the temple such as the chapels on the upper terrace. Two of these statues depicts her unequivocally as a woman (29.3.3).
Artwork Details
- Title: Seated 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 & el- Asasif, Senenmut Quarry, MMA excavations, 1926–28/Lepsius 1843–45
- Medium: Indurated limestone, paint
- Dimensions: H. 213 cm (83 7/8 in.); W. 50 cm (19 11/16); D. 119 cm (46 7/8 in.); 2750 lbs.
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1929
- Object Number: 29.3.2
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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