Thutmose (sculptor)

Thutmose, Thutmose or even Djehutimes, was a sculptor, sometimes referred to as Upper sculptor, at the time of the Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 18th Dynasty ( New Kingdom ). His name and title Thutmose, favorite of the good god, overseer of the work and sculptors are busy on the fragment of a small blinder of ivory, which deals with the inventory number. 21193 is located in Berlin 's Egyptian Museum. She was found at Tell el- Amarna in house P 47.2.

Thutmose is known for the discovery of his sculpture workshop and there discovered by Ludwig Borchardt sculptures and busts, of which the most famous object is the bust of Nefertiti.

Fund history

The studio and adjoining the sculptor Thutmose was found during the excavation season 1912/1913 of the German Oriental Society (DOG) at Tell el- Amarna under the direction of Ludwig Borchardt. The discovery of complex, remains of buildings of adobe, was given the designation P 47.1-3.

The financing of these excavations was the Berlin Cotton Traders James Simon. After the division of finds in accordance with the then applicable provisions " in equal parts " (à Moitié exacte ) on January 20, 1913, the objects were in his possession over which gave Simon in 1920 as a gift to the Egyptian Museum in Berlin.

The sculptor's studio

The partially preserved inscription found on a blinder allowed the name assigned the house: ... favorite of the good god, overseer of the work and sculptor Thutmose ( ... HZY (s) ntr nfr HRJ K3T s ˁ NH ḏḥwtj - msjw ).

The workshop of Tuthmosis not only provides a unique insight into the work of the ancient Egyptian sculptor, but also represents the largest collection of Amarna art represents the found statues, statue heads and busts are made of various materials such as limestone, quartzite, granite or stucco, and have different stages of completion. Some heads were designed for composite statues, statues that that does not work in one piece, but have been put together from various parts. Although Flinders Petrie found in his work at Tell el- Amarna, a similar collection of sculptures, but they were getting worse. The works from the studio of Thutmose among the most important archaeological groups in Egypt.

The works

The works of Thutmosis are often referred to as a sculptor - portrait studies or studies because all the pieces found were incomplete. For example, lacked not only the final polishing of the surface or at the statue heads the deposits for the eyes or eyebrows, but also in part the headgear. Other individual pieces had still applied in black or red color markers for further elaborations on.

Found heads of plaster ( stucco) are unique in Egypt and can be divided into two groups:

• Faces in life size, lacking the back of the head and more reminiscent of a mask. They are very realistic portrayals of women and men, where the age is to look and act ugly or careworn part. These heads are characteristic and show individual facial features, but provide no information on the person himself This category refers to individuals whose identities are unknown, but must have played a significant role in the Amarna period. It is assumed that these images were taken directly as a cast from a living or even dead people. The background for this type of work is unknown.

• The second group found in the studio comprises some plastic heads in which the skull is missing. You have only partly life-size and carry idealized facial features. Because of the approaches for crowns, they can be assigned to the royal family. In comparisons to contemporary representations could Amenhotep III. , Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Kiya, several princesses or high court officials are identified. Some of these objects have cavities on deposits, for example, made ​​of faience, and are so-called models, which were used for the production of statues in series. The bust of Nefertiti is one of this collection.

Statues and portraits in the Berlin Egyptian Museum

Head of a composite statue of Nefertiti (House P 47.3; granite, No. 21358 )

Striding figure of Nefertiti (House P 47.2; limestone, No. 21263 )

Portrait study of Akhenaten ( home P47, stucco, No. 21348 )

Head of a Princess (House P 47.1; silicified sandstone ( quartzite ), No. 21223 )

Portrait study of Kiya ( home P47, 2; quartzite, No. 21245 )

Portrait Study of Amenhotep III. ( Stucco)

Portrait study, probably Eje II (stucco, No. 21350 )

Grave

In Saqqara is the be painted rock grave of several artists who were buried here together. One of these artists is the " ruler of the painter at the court of the truth" (usually "means ruler of the painter" only ), Thutmose. The grave was found in 1996 and dated to the time of Tutankhamun. It is possible that this is identical with the sculptor Thutmose. The father of Thutmose from Saqqara is called Amenramwia, his mother Mutemweschet. His wife is called Inyy. Another bestatteter artists here was the " captain of the painter at the court of truth" Kenena.