“Measuring and Recording the Harvest” is an ancient Egyptian artwork created around 1422 to 1411 BC during the New Kingdom period. This genre painting, part of the series in the Tomb of Menna (c.1422-1390 BC), depicts a scene of agricultural labor. It is a notable example of the practical and daily life aspects portrayed in the tomb art of ancient Egypt.
The artwork showcases a group of men engaged in the process of harvesting and recording their agricultural yield. The figures are shown in profile, a common artistic convention of the time, with the men dressed in traditional white kilts. Their skin is depicted in a reddish-brown hue, adhering to the stylistic norms used to represent male workers. One figure is seen holding a measuring tool, possibly a cubit rod or a tool for tallying the harvest, emphasizing the organized and systematic approach to agriculture in ancient Egyptian society. The background features a golden field of crops, likely wheat or barley, with stylized depictions of plants and reeds, adding to the scene’s authenticity and historical context. The composition is both methodical and vivid, capturing the essence of agricultural life during the New Kingdom era.
