Artwork
Preparing and Cooking Cakes, Tomb of Rekhmire
Preparing and Cooking Cakes, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, titled Preparing and Cooking Cakes, documents a scene from the ancient Egyptian Tomb of Rekhmire.
About this work
History & Provenance
Davies is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as confirmed by its Wikidata record linking the work to that institution.
The painting ‘Preparing and Cooking Cakes’ originates from Tomb TT100 of the Theban official Rekhmire, where it formed part of the tomb’s decorative program and is dated to 1504. Egyptologist Nina M. Davies produced a facsimile of the scene in that year, rendering it as a stand‑alone work for scholarly documentation. The facsimile entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 31.6.30 and remains on view in the Egyptian Art department. Its creation history reflects early 20th‑century efforts to record tomb imagery for museum archives.
The facsimile painting by Nina M. Davies is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as confirmed by its Wikidata record linking the work to that institution. It is catalogued under the accession number 31.6.30, which identifies it as a facsimile copy of the original wall painting from the Tomb of Rekhmire (Theban Tomb 100). The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection entry records the work's inception date as 1504, corresponding to the date of the original New Kingdom scene that Davies copied. No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This painting, titled Preparing and Cooking Cakes, documents a scene from the ancient Egyptian Tomb of Rekhmire. It was created by Egyptologist and illustrator Nina M. Davies, who collaborated with her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, during the early to mid-twentieth century. The artwork captures a moment of daily life, specifically the preparation and baking of food, reflecting their meticulous approach to recording historical details. It is currently housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork illustrates a domestic scene of food preparation, a common theme in ancient Egyptian tomb art intended to ensure sustenance in the afterlife. Two figures are depicted engaged in the process: one pours liquid into molds, while the other places flat cakes into a brick oven. This focus on everyday tasks provides insight into the practical aspects of ancient Egyptian life, emphasizing the importance of bread and cakes in their diet.
Technique & Style
The visual style of this documentation is characterized by simplified forms and a clear, direct presentation. Figures and objects are delineated with bold red outlines, standing out against a light background. The use of flat colors and minimal detail emphasizes the functional aspect of the scene, aligning with the Davies's objective of accurate historical recording rather than artistic interpretation.
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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