“Artist’s Sketches of Senenmut,” created by an anonymous artist from Ancient Egypt, dates circa 1479 – 1458 BC. This artwork, classified under the New Kingdom art movement, is a sketch and study portrait executed on limestone using ink. Currently housed at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US, the artifact offers a glimpse into the artistic practices of ancient Egyptian culture.
The artwork consists of a rough, uneven piece of limestone, characterized by its natural texture and irregular shape. The surface of the limestone bears faint ink sketches that depict preliminary and detailed studies, presumably of Senenmut, a significant figure from the period. The sketches display the adept use of line work, despite their subtlety and worn state, illustrating the artist’s skill in capturing human and possibly other forms. The artwork reflects a moment of artistic endeavor from thousands of years ago, bridging the modern observer with the ancient world.
