About This Artwork

Egyptian

Wall Fragment from the Tomb of Amenemhet and His Wife Hemet, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12 (c. 1991 -1784 B.C.)

Stone, pigment
30.6 x 41.7 x 6.3 cm (12 x 16 3/8 x 3 1/4 in.)
Museum Purchase Fund, 1920.262

The function of Egyptian tomb art was to preserve scenes of daily life for the afterlife. Since that function did not change for centuries, the art also did not change. For example, this section of the tomb of a priest named Amenemhet was carved 600 years later than the Old Kingdom reliefs, yet it exhibits many of the same themes as the earlier works. The well-preserved pigment serves as a reminder that most Egyptian reliefs, as well as statues, were brightly painted.