Artwork
Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen
Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1396 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nina M.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting’s provenance traces from its original archaeological context in the 14th century BCE to its acquisition by the MET, where it remains on display.
The painting titled "Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen" was executed by Nina M. Davies as a facsimile of the original tomb scene (TT 120) at Thebes. Its creation is documented in 1933 with accession number 33.8.8, and it is currently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) collection;. The work portrays the pharaoh Amenhotep III alongside his Great Royal Wife, Queen Tiye, beneath a kiosk, and was produced to document the decorative program of Anen’s tomb for scholarly publication.
The painting’s provenance traces from its original archaeological context in the 14th century BCE to its acquisition by the MET, where it remains on display.
The work, a facsimile painting by Nina de Garis Davies depicting Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye beneath a kiosk from the Tomb of Anen (TT 120), is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum assigns it the accession number 33.8.8. While the original scene dates to approximately 1390 BCE, the specific artifact described is the early 20th-century reproduction created by the artist.
The provided sources do not contain details regarding specific exhibition dates or a chronological history of public display for this accession.
Legacy
The painting has become a reference point for studies of Amarna-period royal iconography, frequently reproduced as a facsimile in scholarly works on the Theban tombs. Its depiction of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye on a kiosk under a shrine has shaped visual reconstructions of court ceremony and elite gender roles, influencing subsequent artistic interpretations of the period. The work’s inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and its documented creator, Nina M. Davies, have cemented its reputation as a pivotal artifact for understanding New Kingdom elite portraiture and funerary art.
Overview
Nina M. Davies created this painting, "Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye Enthroned Beneath a Kiosk, Tomb of Anen," as a meticulous record of an ancient Egyptian tomb scene. Working in the early to mid-twentieth century, Davies and her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, were known for their efforts to document and reproduce fragile wall paintings from Egyptian tombs, preserving their details for study and appreciation. This particular work captures a significant royal depiction.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Pharaoh Amenhotep III alongside his Queen Tiye, seated regally beneath an ornate kiosk. The royal couple occupies a richly patterned throne adorned with symbols such as birds and sunbursts, likely conveying divine authority and power. Below them, rows of smaller, uniformed figures, possibly guards or attendants, are depicted in an orderly procession, emphasizing the hierarchy and structure of the court.
Technique & Style
Davies's work is a large, colorful rendering, meticulously replicating the original tomb painting. The vibrant palette features bright blues, golds, and reds, particularly evident in the throne's intricate patterns. While the background shows signs of fading, it still suggests architectural elements and a celestial sky.
The figures are depicted in simple robes, a characteristic of ancient Egyptian art, with the smaller marching figures arranged in precise, linear formations.
Artist & collection
Artist
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…
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