Through the Eras

Visual ArtsRelief showing the expedition to the Land of Punt, on the wall of Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple. © GIANNI DAGLI ORTI/CORBIS. REPRO-DUCED BY PERMISSION.actually been recognizable on Hatshepsut’s face, thisportrait represented an ideal king rather than an individual.Many of the individual characteristics portrayedin the face were similar to rulers of the distant past whoalso were not blood relations. Rather, by repeating certaincharacteristics the artist conveyed the clear messagethat this particular ruler was part of a line of legitimaterulers who protected Egypt from its enemies.SENENMUT. Senenmut was a powerful official duringHatshepsut’s reign. He served both as prime ministerand a high official of the god Amun, the chief godof the Egyptian pantheon. Thus he was able to commis-296 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)