Through the Eras

Visual ArtsBlock statue of Senwosret-Senbefny. BROOKLYN MUSEUM OFART, 39.602, CHARLES EDWIN WILBOUR FUND. REPRODUCED BYPERMISSION.eyes, the drawn muscles of the cheeks, and the droopingcorners of the king’s mouth suggest the heavy burdenborne by kings who take proper care of their people.The large, protruding ears, though possibly a familycharacteristic, might also signify that the king hears hispeople’s prayers. This tradition is found in the literatureof the period. The inscription carved on the front of thethrone identifies the king and is oriented to the vieweras in classic Old Kingdom royal statues.PRINCESS. The artists of the Twelfth Dynasty alsoproduced extremely high quality and innovative work.A head of a princess carved from chlorite exemplifies thehighest standards of Egyptian art and a new convention,the female sphinx. Even in its damaged condition thehead reveals the expressiveness that Egyptian artistscould achieve while working within strict conventions.The planes of the face are modeled so delicately thatthe youthful freshness of the sitter becomes obvious. Theprincess wears a heavy wig that reveals some of her naturalhair above the forehead in the conventional way. Asmall Uraeus over the forehead indicates that she isroyalty. The eyebrows arch over the eye and extend backtoward the ear. The eyes were once inset, undoubtedlyStatue of a cloaked official. BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ART, 41.83,CHARLES EDWIN WILBOUR FUND. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION.made from precious materials. The nose is damaged butthe expressive lips are carved with great subtlety. The chin,though repaired in antiquity, is also extremely delicate.BLOCK STATUE. Block statues possibly began in theOld Kingdom but became very popular in the MiddleKingdom. They represent an individual squatting on theground, usually wearing a cloak. The pose is commontoday among Egyptians. It is not unusual to see workerssquatting on the back of their heels during a break. Theartist preserves the shape of the original stone blockwith only the head emerging from the top and the feetrevealed at the front. In the case of the block statue ofSenwosret-Senbefny, the subject’s wife is presented on asmall scale between his feet. Senwosret-Senbefny wearsa wig tucked behind his large, protruding ears. His faceresembles the king, Senwosret III for whom he was292 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)