Artwork

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk, by Nina M. Davies, unspecified, 1396
Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk, by Nina M. Davies, unspecified, 1396

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1396 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Iconographically, the work represents the royal lineage and the legitimization of the king's rule through his maternal connection.

This facsimile painting reproduces a scene from the tomb of Anen (TT 226), depicting the Eighteenth Dynasty pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on a throne within a kiosk structure. He is accompanied by his mother, Mutemwia, who stands beside him. The composition includes hieroglyphic inscriptions integral to the original wall painting's narrative.

Iconographically, the work represents the royal lineage and the legitimization of the king's rule through his maternal connection. The presence of both figures in a kiosk setting underscores their elevated status and the ceremonial nature of their interaction, serving as a visual record of dynastic continuity and familial reverence within the funerary context of the nobleman Anen.

Technique & Style

The composition was rendered as a painted facsimile of a New Kingdom tomb scene, employing the traditional Egyptian wall‑painting method in which mineral pigments are applied to a plaster surface. The work’s support is the plaster ground of the original tomb, reproduced here in paint, and the handling reflects the careful preservation of such surfaces in museum settings. Formal qualities include the characteristic profile view, hierarchical scaling that emphasizes the king and his mother, and a limited palette of ochre, red, and blue that defines the figures and architectural elements. The stylized outlines and flat spatial treatment conform to the canonical conventions of 14th‑century Theban funerary art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1390, this work is a facsimile painting by Nina M. Davies (also known as Nina de Garis Davies). It reproduces a scene from Theban Tomb 226 (TT 226), belonging to Anen, which depicts the pharaoh Amenhotep III and his mother, Mutemwia, seated on thrones within a kiosk. The facsimile was subsequently acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the collection (accession 15.5.1).

The facsimile painting titled "Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk," executed by Nina M. Davies, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work carries the accession number 15.5.1. Created as a reproduction of scenes from the tomb of Anen (TT 226), the piece depicts the pharaoh Amenhotep III alongside his mother, Mutemwia.

While the original tomb scenes date to approximately 1390 BCE, this specific artistic record by Davies serves as the museum's held asset. The available records confirm its institutional location and inventory classification but do not provide details regarding specific past exhibitions or loan history.

Overview

This painting portrays the pharaoh Amenhotep III alongside his mother, Mutemwia, situated within an elaborate architectural setting, likely a kiosk. The two principal figures stand prominently, framed by decorative columns and surmounted by hieroglyphic inscriptions. Below them, smaller individuals are depicted in postures of reverence, presenting offerings.

The overall composition highlights the regal status of the main subjects and the ceremonial nature of the depicted scene.

Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen
Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen, Nina M. Davies

Artist & collection

Artist

Nina M. Davies

The Egyptologists Nina M. Davies (6 January 1881 – 21 April 1965) and Norman de Garis Davies (1865–5 November 1941) were a married couple of illustrators and copyists who worked in the early and mid-twentieth century…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk?

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk was painted by Nina M. Davies in 1390-01-01.

Where can I see Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk?

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk?

Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk is associated with Byzantine icon painting.