The artwork “Laden Donkeys and Ploughing, Tomb of Djar” is an ancient Egyptian genre painting that dates back to circa 2060 – 2010 BC during the Middle Kingdom period. This genre painting exemplifies the art movement of that era, depicting everyday life and work in Egypt, providing a window into the agricultural practices of the time.
In the artwork, we see a sequence of activities illustrated in a distinctively stylized manner typical of ancient Egyptian art. On the left side, there are several donkeys, each carrying panniers or loads on their backs, painted in a light blue color. The donkeys are shown in profile, adhering to the Egyptian convention of representation. Following the depiction of these burdened donkeys, there is a scene of two men engaged in agricultural labor. The first man appears to be sowing seeds, scattering them with a throw of his hand, while the second man, who is larger and thus probably of higher status, holds a plow being pulled by a cow. The cow is depicted in a lighter brown and white coloring, with a large red yoke around its neck to aid in the plowing process. The figures and animals are presented in a stylized form with the use of simplistic lines and bright colors to define their shapes and important features, characteristic of Egyptian tomb decoration meant to ensure a prosperous afterlife for the deceased. The background is a plain light beige, possibly representing desert sand, which serves as a neutral backdrop that highlights the vibrancy of the figures.