The artwork, named “Stern Mounted Steering Oar of An Egyptian Riverboat,” created by the civilization of Ancient Egypt around c.1422 – c.1411 BC, falls under the New Kingdom art movement. It is a representation belonging to the genre painting and marina genre, part of the series known as the “Tomb of Menna, c.1422-1390 BC.” The artwork captures a meticulously detailed scene typical of genre paintings, emphasizing everyday life and functions, and it embodies nautical elements, characterizing it as marina art.
The artwork vividly depicts a traditional Egyptian riverboat with finely adorned ornamentation and a crew of rowers and sailors. The riverboat is designed with intricate patterns and symbols, characteristic of the New Kingdom era. A prominent feature is the large steering oar mounted at the stern, a critical tool for navigation. The sailors are engaged in various tasks, depicted with a sense of dynamism and purpose. The water beneath the boat is shown in a simplified yet effective manner, and the horizon is marked by a colorful band, adding to the artistic composition. This painting serves as a historical record of ancient Egyptian maritime activities and highlights the advanced boat-construction techniques of that period.