Open full image Pin

Head of Menmare Seti I: copy of a low relief in the Great Temple of Seti I, Abydos

George Henry Benton Fletcher

1913

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Head of Menmare Seti I: copy of a low relief in the Great Temple of Seti I, Abydos is a 1913 watercolor by George Henry Benton Fletcher, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: George Henry Benton Fletcher
When & what style?: 1913
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows a side view of a person’s head, drawn in soft pencil-like lines on light paper. The face is turned slightly upward, with a smooth oval shape and gentle curves for the hair. The background is plain, letting the drawing stand out clearly. The artist copied this from an ancient Egyptian temple relief, focusing on the quiet, calm style of those carvings. The light touch makes it feel like a study, not a finished work. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more sketches like this.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour drawing by George Henry Benton Fletcher, created in 1913, depicts the head of Menmare Seti I as a copy of a low relief from the Great Temple of Seti I in Abydos. The work was likely exhibited at the Fine Arts Society in July 1914 under the title *Water-Colours of Egypt and its Temples*. It was previously owned by G. Noel Butler and sold in Honiton in 1961 for ten shillings.

Read the full account in the museum source.