Through the Eras

Visual ArtsThe Wilbour Plaque. BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ART, 16.48, GIFT OF EVANGELINE WILBOUR BLASHFIELD, THEODORA WILBOUR, AND VICTORWILBOUR HONORING THE WISHES OF THEIR MOTHER, CHARLOTTE BEEBE WILBOUR, AS A MEMORIAL TO THEIR FATHER, CHARLES EDWINWILBOUR. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION.of the royal treasury. His wife, Nebet-ta, was a singer inthe cult of the goddess Isis. In the statue that their soncommissioned for them, they are portrayed sitting ona high-backed chair. Nebet-ta wears the elaborate envelopingwig that had become fashionable in this timeperiod. It completely enfolds her shoulders and reachesthe upper part of her breasts. She wears a broad collarand bracelets on her wrists. She appears to be wearing atight dress that reveals her breasts and navel. The pubictriangle is hidden because she is seated with her kneestogether. Nebsen also wears an elaborate wig that reacheshis shoulders. He wears a broad collar and armlets thatencircle his biceps. He also wears a wraparound kilt. Hischest is fleshy and corpulent, suggesting his wealth andhigh position in society. Inscriptions on both peopleelaborate their names and titles for the viewer. Thoughboth of these individuals lived in the reign of ThutmoseIII, their son commissioned this statue in the currentstyle during his own lifetime. When compared with thepair statue of Rahotep and Nofret made during theFourth Dynasty, it is clear that the later New Kingdomartists strove to emphasize the sitter’s wealth. Rahotepand Nofret were a prince and princess, yet they do notwear wigs, clothing, or jewelry nearly as elaborate as thesenon-royal officials wore. Even though both statues sharethe same pose, the style of the later periods called for adifferent emphasis. The tendency is noticeable in thepainting of Tjepu that comes from her son’s tomb. Tjepustands making a gesture of adoration with her right handand holding a menat, a piece of jewelry that could doubleas a musical instrument in her left hand. She wearson top of her wig a scented wax cone that Egyptians ofthis period wore as deodorant and perfume. Her wig isalso adorned with a closed lotus flower and a colorfulheadband. The wig itself is long and envelops her nearshoulder. Due to the conventions of Egyptian art inArts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 301