Hatshepsut Analysis

This paper will employ close visual analysis of the Ancient Egyptian sculpture, Large Seated Statue of Hatshepsut dated 1473-1458 B.C, Dynasty 18 describing how the pose of the figure, the queens facial expressions/ features, the portrayal as a male and the medium of the work relate to the queens confidence in her royal power, her achievements and her adaptions to conform to the conventions (art and Egyptian ideology of kinship) of this period. Upon entering the gallery at Metropolitan museum with all the other Hatshepsuts statues, I find the seated statue of Hatshetsup to be the most compelling one. The large Seated statue of Hatshetsup is made out of indurated limestone. The statue is 195 centimeter in height, 49 centimeter in width and 114 centimeter in dimensions. Limestone is a durable, reliable, building material, therefore; the choice of medium shows the artist concerns for …show more content…
Her arms are placed firmly on her lap. Her feet are closed together. Hatshepsut is wearing the shendyt kilt and pharaoic nemes . She is wearing the ceremonial clothes of and Egyptian pharaoh. She is represented as a male king. However, unlike the other statues of Hatshepsut on the Metropolitan museum, such as The Large Kneeling statues of Hatshepsut, the seated statue of the queen is not wearing the kings false beard. Also, her body features are more define. Her body is slender. She has a small waist, and small long limbs. Her anatomy is visible as female, even though there is no great emphasis on her breast since it is depicted as barely there. The pose of the statue, gives an impression of stiffness. She looks like she is firmly planted on the seat and unable to move. Yet despite the stiffness of the pose, her presence and her feminine features evoke power, toughness and strength. The depiction of Hatshepsut as a male king gives an impression that she was adapted to conform to egyptian ideology of kinship