The Galerie du Temps at the Louvre-Lens A unique presentation of ...
The Galerie du Temps at the Louvre-Lens A unique presentation of ...
The Galerie du Temps at the Louvre-Lens A unique presentation of ...
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Egypt gre<strong>at</strong> temples<br />
2. St<strong>at</strong>uette <strong>of</strong> Tuy, Superior <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Harem <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> god Min<br />
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign <strong>of</strong> Amenophis III (1391-1353 BC)<br />
Sculpture in <strong>the</strong> round; African grenadilla wood, shea wood base<br />
H. 33.40 cm; W. 8 cm; D. 17 cm<br />
Musée <strong>du</strong> <strong>Louvre</strong>, Department <strong>of</strong> Egyptian Antiquities, E10655<br />
© 2008 Musée <strong>du</strong> <strong>Louvre</strong> / Christian Décamps<br />
Term <strong>of</strong> loan for display <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Louvre</strong> - <strong>Lens</strong> : 1 year<br />
<strong>The</strong> st<strong>at</strong>uette <strong>of</strong> Tuy is carved from two species <strong>of</strong> wood th<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Egyptians imported from <strong>the</strong> south - shea wood for <strong>the</strong> base, and<br />
African grenadilla for <strong>the</strong> lady herself. <strong>The</strong>re are <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
formulae on <strong>the</strong> back pillar and <strong>the</strong> base, dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to Osiris, Isis<br />
and "all <strong>the</strong> Gods who are in <strong>the</strong> West (necropolis)". In <strong>the</strong><br />
afterlife, Tuy was thus expected to enjoy <strong>the</strong> food and floral<br />
<strong>of</strong>ferings adorning <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> base.<br />
Chantress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> god Min<br />
Tuy was a chantress <strong>of</strong> Min, and superior <strong>of</strong> his harem; she was thus an important person in Akhmim (<strong>the</strong> god's<br />
cult center) and in <strong>The</strong>bes (<strong>the</strong> capital city, where Min was associ<strong>at</strong>ed with <strong>the</strong> dynastic god Amun).<br />
She is portrayed standing, with her left foot forward and her right arm by her side; <strong>the</strong> perfor<strong>at</strong>ion in her right<br />
hand suggests th<strong>at</strong> she once held an object, perhaps a floral scepter. With her left hand, she clasps a men<strong>at</strong><br />
necklace (a tool <strong>of</strong> her <strong>of</strong>fice) between her breasts.<br />
<strong>The</strong> dedic<strong>at</strong>ion to <strong>the</strong> gre<strong>at</strong> gods <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> necropolis and <strong>the</strong> food <strong>of</strong>ferings engraved on <strong>the</strong> base suggest th<strong>at</strong> this<br />
st<strong>at</strong>uette fe<strong>at</strong>ured among <strong>the</strong> grave goods in Tuy's tomb. <strong>The</strong> text and <strong>of</strong>ferings guaranteed her survival and<br />
protection in <strong>the</strong> afterlife.<br />
A beauty from <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Amenophis III<br />
Tuy's figure typifies <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Amenophis III - and is one <strong>of</strong> its most perfect examples. With her<br />
small round face, almond-shaped eyes, and full lips, she resembles certain portraits <strong>of</strong> Tiy, Gre<strong>at</strong> Wife <strong>of</strong><br />
Amenophis III. Her round bosom and high waist emphasize <strong>the</strong> length and slenderness <strong>of</strong> her body, with its<br />
narrow hips and slightly protruding belly. <strong>The</strong> strong curve <strong>of</strong> her thighs compens<strong>at</strong>es for <strong>the</strong> extreme slimness<br />
<strong>of</strong> her legs.<br />
Dress and accessories<br />
<strong>The</strong>se contribute to <strong>the</strong> elegance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work as a whole. <strong>The</strong> way <strong>the</strong> dress is arranged over <strong>the</strong> folded arm<br />
cre<strong>at</strong>es a radi<strong>at</strong>e p<strong>at</strong>tern <strong>of</strong> ple<strong>at</strong>s th<strong>at</strong> highlights Tuy's body. A trim, perhaps a ribbon, accentu<strong>at</strong>es <strong>the</strong> fit <strong>of</strong> her<br />
floor-length dress. A broad collar with four rows <strong>of</strong> pendants adorns her breast.<br />
Her most impressive accessory is her heavy wig. Despite its volume, it does not detract from her slender figure<br />
thanks to its delic<strong>at</strong>ely-carved details: <strong>the</strong> slight frizz <strong>of</strong> each braid, ending in a twist, and <strong>the</strong> precision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
three braids <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wig, standing out against <strong>the</strong> mass <strong>of</strong> gently waving hair.<br />
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