Artwork
Boats with Mourners and Provisions, Tomb of Neferhotep

Boats with Mourners and Provisions, Tomb of Neferhotep is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1327 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The artwork, created in 1327, is housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Boats with Mourners and Provisions, Tomb of Neferhotep is a painting by Nina M. Davies, an Egyptologist and illustrator. The artwork, created in 1327, is housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Davies was active in the early to mid-twentieth century, working alongside her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, to document and copy ancient Egyptian tomb paintings. This piece reflects her contributions to preserving such historical records.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a scene centered around two boats, laden with figures identified as mourners and various provisions. These elements suggest a funerary context, likely associated with the rituals and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife in ancient Egypt, given its origin from the Tomb of Neferhotep. The arrangement of figures, some holding items like baskets or plants, contributes to the narrative of a solemn procession or journey.
Technique & Style
Davies's artistic rendition of this ancient scene incorporates elements of Byzantine iconography. This stylistic choice influences the portrayal of the boat scene, which features individuals in period attire. The composition emphasizes the figures and vessels against a lighter background, allowing their details and the colorful patterns on the boats to stand out. The careful grouping of figures suggests interaction and a structured narrative within the depiction.
History & Provenance
Nina M. Davies played a significant role in the field of Egyptology through her detailed illustrations and copies of ancient art. Her collaboration with Norman de Garis Davies was instrumental in recording fragile tomb paintings, ensuring their preservation for study and appreciation. This particular painting, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings, exemplifies her dedication to documenting the visual culture of ancient Egypt.
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…















