Thutmose (sculptor)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thutmose | |
Thutmose's bust of Nefertiti, on display at the Altes Museum Berlin |
|
Born | 14th Century B.C. Akhetaton |
Nationality | Egyptian |
Field | Sculpture |
Movement | Amarna art |
Works | Polychrome bust of Nefertiti |
Patrons | Pharaoh Akhenaten |
"The King's Favourite and Master of Works, the Sculptor Thutmose" (also spelled Djhutmose and Thutmosis) is thought to have been the official court sculptor of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten in the latter part of his reign. A German archaeological expedition digging in Akhenaten's deserted city of Akhetaton, at Amarna, found a ruined house and studio complex (labeled P47.1-3) during its 1912 excavations; the building was identified as that of Thutmose based on an ivory horse blinker found in a rubbish pit in the courtyard inscribed with his name and job title.[1] Since it gave his occupation as "sculptor" and the building was clearly a sculpture workshop, it seemed a logical connection.
Among many other sculptural items recovered at the same time was the polychrome bust of Nefertiti, apparently a master study for others to copy, which was found on the floor of a storeroom. In addition to this now famous bust were a number of plaster casts that have been identified as representing various members of the royal family and their entourage, including Akhenaten, his other wife Kiya, his late father Amenhotep III, his eventual successor Ay and others.
Examples of his work recovered from his abandoned studio can be viewed at the Ägyptisches Museum Berlin, the Cairo Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
[edit] Gallery of images
A plaster portrait of Akhenaten (or possibly his immediate successor Smenkhkare) from the workshop of the sculptor Thutmose. On display at the Ägyptisches Museum Berlin. |
Plaster face of an older Amarna-era woman, from late in Akhenaten's reign, years 14-17, from the workshop of the sculptor Thutmose. On display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. |
Plaster face of a young Amarna-era woman, (thought by many to represent Kiya, one of Akhenaten's wives), from late in Akhenaten's reign, years 14-17, from the workshop of the sculptor Thutmose. On display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. |
Portrait study thought represent Kiya, a secondary wife to the pharaoh Ahkenaten. Originally discovered within the workshop of the royal sculptor Thutmose at Amarna, now part of the Ägyptisches Museum collection in Berlin. |
Portrait study thought to represent Amenhotep III, the father of the pharaoh Ahkenaten. Originally discovered within the workshop of the royal sculptor Thutmose at Amarna, now part of the Ägyptisches Museum collection in Berlin. |
Plaster portrait study thought to represent the later successor pharaoh Ay, part of the Ägyptisches Museum collection in Berlin. |
Statuette of Queen Nefertiti rendered in limestone from the workshop of the sculptor Thutmose. On display at the Ägyptisches Museum Berlin. |
|
Granite statue of the head of Queen Nefertiti, from the workshop of the sculptor Thutmose. On display at the Ägyptisches Museum Berlin. |
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Reeves, Nicholas. Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet. p.157. Thames & Hudson. 2005. ISBN 0-500-285527
[edit] Bibliography
- Cyril Aldred, Akhenaten: King of Egypt (Thames and Hudson, 1988), pp. 59.
- Rita E. Freed, Yvonne J. Markowitz, Sue H. D'Auria, Pharaohs of the Sun: Akhenaten - Nefertiti - Tutankhamen (Museum of Fine Arts, 1999), pp. 123-126.