Artwork
Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire
Metal Working, 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 painting shows a male figure actively engaged in metalworking, a scene recorded in the tomb of Rekhmire.
The painting shows a male figure actively engaged in metalworking, a scene recorded in the tomb of Rekhmire. The iconography centers on the figure’s hands and tools, emphasizing the craft of metalwork. By portraying this occupational activity, the composition links the deceased’s earthly profession with the after‑life, suggesting a continuation of his role as a skilled artisan.
The work is dated to 1504 and is classified as a painting, created by Nina M. Davies for the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.
History & Provenance
The facsimile Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire by Nina de Garis Davies is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with the accession number 31.6.22.
The work has not been recorded as part of any major exhibition in the provided sources.
Overview
This painting, titled Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire, is a reproduction of an ancient Egyptian tomb scene. It captures a craftsman engaged in the intricate process of shaping metal within a furnace. The original artwork, found within the Tomb of Rekhmire, provides insight into daily life and skilled labor in ancient Egypt.
This particular copy was created by Nina M. Davies as part of an extensive project to document and preserve the visual record of these historical sites.
Technique & Style
The composition emphasizes the craftsman, drawing the viewer's attention to his focused activity. A warm, earthy background with subtle texture provides a sense of depth and intimacy to the scene. The artist's use of color and careful arrangement creates a quiet, meditative atmosphere, underscoring the man's palpable concentration. This stylistic approach effectively conveys the dedication inherent in the metalworking process.
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…
Menna and Family Hunting in the Marshes, Tomb of Menna
Amenhotep III and his Mother, Mutemwia, in a Kiosk
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Preparing Dough, Tomb of Rekhmire
Nakhtamun's Funeral Procession, Tomb of Nakhtamun
Ramesses III and Prince Amenherkhepeshef before Hathor
Sifting Meal, Tomb of Rekhmire
Funeral Procession, Tomb of Pairy
- Stringing and Drilling Beads, Tomb of Rekhmire
Sandal Maker, Tomb of Rekhmire
Trimming Wood with an Adze, Tomb of Rekhmire
Sandal Maker, Tomb of Rekhmire
Casting Metal, Tomb of Rekhmire
Drilling a Stone Vase, Tomb of Rekhmire
Carpenter Making a Chair, Tomb of Rekhmire
Preparing and Cooking Cakes, Tomb of Rekhmire
Brickmakers, Tomb of Rekhmire
Carpenters at Work, Tomb of Rekhmire