Artwork
Cretans Bringing Gifts of Metal and Jewelry, Tomb of Rekhmire
Cretans Bringing Gifts of Metal and Jewelry, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The facsimile depicts Cretans bringing gifts of metal and jewelry, as indicated by the work’s title and its portrayal of jewelry, a man, and a vase.
The facsimile depicts Cretans bringing gifts of metal and jewelry, as indicated by the work’s title and its portrayal of jewelry, a man, and a vase. Within the Tomb of Rekhmire setting, a group of Aegean figures offers metal objects and precious items to a male figure, likely the tomb owner Rekhmire, while a vase stands nearby. This scene of foreign tribute highlights Egypt’s exchange with the Aegean world and underscores the official’s administrative role in overseeing the influx of luxury goods, symbolizing both the tomb owner’s prestige and Egypt’s broader international connections.
History & Provenance
The facsimile painting titled Cretans Bringing Gifts of Metal and Jewelry, created by Nina M. Davies, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work carries the accession number 31.6.45 within the museum's inventory. While the original scene originates from the Tomb of Rekhmire (TT 100), this specific painted copy serves as a preserved record of the ancient artwork. The provided sources do not contain information regarding specific past exhibitions or loan history for this piece.
Overview
Cretans Bringing Gifts of Metal and Jewelry, Tomb of Rekhmire is a painting by Egyptologist and illustrator Nina M. Davies, dated 1504. This work captures a scene from the ancient Tomb of Rekhmire, depicting individuals presenting valuable items. Davies was recognized for her meticulous efforts in documenting and reproducing ancient Egyptian tomb art, a practice she undertook with her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, during the early to mid-twentieth century.
Technique & Style
Davies's rendition employs a palette dominated by earthy tones, including reds, browns, and yellows, reflecting the original tomb painting's aesthetic. The composition focuses on the two figures and their central offering, conveying the weight and significance of the presented items through their posture. Areas of the painting show signs of fading, which may indicate the condition of the ancient source material or the passage of time.
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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