Hatshepsut in a Devotional Attitude

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The statue of Hatshepsut was carved out in high relief technique. The material and the performance used in this piece might disturb the appearance in the way that she might appear. From the back, there are hieroglyphs which according to the curator spell her name.

The purpose of this statue is probably to show her greatness as a female king. With the made-up beard that she is wearing in this statue, we can tell that she wanted to be represented in this way; to show how significant was she in her empire. Additional thing is that maybe it was something different for that period to show a females described this way. This piece of art represents the king Hatshepsut, who is like defensive somewhat from the temple that she was found. Her size and her pose are things that show us that she was important and that this statue is trying to demonstrate us that. Another purpose might be to stimulate devotion to this woman because of her importance in her nation and empire, and to affect us, the viewers, with her power and greatness.

The statue of the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut is a great example of a life-size stone sculpture. There is a generous use of actual texture and the statue has an overall sense of unity. The artist, through Hatshepsut’s attire and other formal qualities of the statue, has made her resemble an Egyptian goddess who protects women and children. Hatshepsut was one of the most prosperous female pharaohs in antique Egyptian history, and this statue celebrates her success and power.

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Hatshepsut in a Devotional Attitude

Period: New Kingdom

Dynasty: Dynasty 18

Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III

Date: ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Senenmut Quarry, MMA excavations, 1927–28

Medium: Granite, paint

Dimensions: H (without base) 242 cm (95 1/4 in); w. (of base) 74 cm (29 1/8 in); d. 111 cm (43 11/16 in)

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1928

Accession Number: 28.3.18