Guests at a Banquet

Guests at a Banquet is a painting by Nina M. Davies (Nina de Garis Davies), dated to 1931 and listed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's catalogue as a work depicting a banquet scene with figures. The work is presently held by the museum in New York as part of its permanent collection. No further details about its acquisition or previous owners are documented in the available sources.

Nina M. Davies, an Egyptologist and illustrator, created Guests at a Banquet around 1931. This painting captures a scene of feasting and social gathering, reflecting ancient Egyptian traditions. Davies was known for her work in documenting and copying ancient artworks, often in collaboration with her husband.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this piece, which exemplifies her contribution to preserving visual records of the past.

Davies’s work, including Guests at a Banquet, emerged from a period of intense archaeological discovery and documentation in Egypt. Her role as an illustrator was crucial in preserving visual records of fragile ancient paintings and reliefs, many of which were deteriorating. These detailed copies provided invaluable insights for scholars and the public, allowing for the study and appreciation of ancient Egyptian artistic traditions beyond their original sites.