How The Seated Statue Of Hatshepsut

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut The Seated Statue of Hatshepsut located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created during 1473-1458 B.C. The original location is Thebes, Egypt at Deir el-Bahri, and the original subject matter was created to honor the Egyptian female pharaoh Hatshepsut. This study will analyze the historical importance of the subject depicted, this piece will have its form thoroughly analyzed, show how it represents the culture of the Ancient Egyptian art historical period, and be compared to another work of the same subject, Khafre Enthroned. This sculpture is in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, and was found in Gizeh, Egypt, made from 2520-2494 BCE. This comparison will contrast the similarities and differences between a female …show more content…
The great Egyptian female pharaoh Hatshepsut was not always destined to become one of the most influential leaders of her time, however, she did. In the 18th Dynasty, Thutmose II, Hatshepsut’s half brother, took power after their father, Thutmose I, died. Soon after his reign Thutmose II, died leaving the throne to his son. He was as old as three and born to him by a secondary wife, Isis. His queen, Hatshepsut, thus became co-ruler of Egypt with Thutmose III. She then decided to step up and assume the total powers of a pharaoh. Hatshepsut’s reign caused controversy across the region due to her being a woman. She was only the third female pharaoh during 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. Hatshepsut wanted to be viewed by the people of Egypt as a serious ruler, therefore requesting to be depicted in statues and paintings as possessing qualities of a male pharaoh. These …show more content…
The piece is made from indurated limestone and stands 76.75 inches high and 19.3 inches wide. The large block of carved limestone is shiny and left to be mostly unpainted. There are various characteristics that feminize this king. Her chin is raised to an angle that her eyes do not meet with the viewers; it is as if she is looking beyond. The shape of the face is comparable to a heart, accompanied with small, almond-shaped eyes, and thin, closed lips. This subject is idealized, which is why the nose on her face significantly stands out against the rest of her features. It is thin and bold contrasting a naturalistic part to other idealized elements. Hatshepsut’s arms, legs, and torso are elongated and slender. Her hands would rest flat on her thighs. The slightly rounded breasts on her chest infer a subtle identification of gender and are a large contribution to the feminization of the subject’s depiction. The female king wears a pleated skirt around her thighs accompanied by a belt. Further research revealed she wears a pendent bull’s tail, which hangs on the back of the kilt and represents strength and power of the ruler. This pendent was worn by male royalty, it is significant that the sculpture possess this aspect as it leads the viewer to see Hatshepsut as powerful as any other ruler, regardless of gender. The royal headdress frames her