Artwork
Fishing and Fowling, Tomb of Ipuy
Fishing and Fowling, Tomb of Ipuy is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This drawing, titled "Fishing and Fowling," is a meticulous copy by Nina M.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting titled 'Fishing and Fowling' is a facsimile of the wall decorations from the Tomb of Ipuy (TT217) in Thebes, Egypt.
The painting titled 'Fishing and Fowling' is a facsimile of the wall decorations from the Tomb of Ipuy (TT217) in Thebes, Egypt. It was created by Nina M. Davies, in collaboration with Norman de Garis Davies, as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's documentation of the tomb. The original tomb dates to approximately 1279 BCE, during the reign of Ramesses II, and the facsimile was produced in the early twentieth century to record the scene of a fishing and fowling expedition.
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York under the accession number 30.4.119. No exhibition history beyond its presence in the museum's collection is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This drawing, titled "Fishing and Fowling," is a meticulous copy by Nina M. Davies, created in the early to mid-twentieth century. It reproduces a scene from the ancient Egyptian Tomb of Ipuy, originally painted around 1290 BCE. The work captures a riverine activity, depicting figures engaged in fishing and fowling from a boat.
Davies's illustration is part of a larger initiative to record and preserve the fragile wall art of Egyptian tombs and is housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a vibrant scene of daily life along the Nile, focusing on subsistence activities. Figures in a boat are shown actively fishing with nets and spears, while another individual on the riverbank uses a long pole, likely to flush birds into traps. The setting features lush reeds and various birds in flight, emphasizing the rich natural environment. The calm demeanor of the participants suggests a focused engagement with their essential tasks.
Technique & Style
Davies's drawing faithfully renders the visual characteristics of the ancient original. The composition features figures in simple attire and wide-brimmed hats, engaged in their tasks against a backdrop of river and reeds. While the original wall painting shows signs of age, with some areas worn or missing, Davies's copy highlights the original's bright palette, featuring distinct blues, oranges, and yellows that contrast with a more subdued background.
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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