Kneeling Hatshepsut Essay

Undeniably, art is shaped by its cultural background. The region in which it is found, the race/ethnicity/nationality of the people who created it, the politics surrounding its creation, the time in which it was created, and numerous other factors contribute to what we know about history’s greatest masterpieces. Located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut (a.k.a Kneeling Hatshepsut) is no exception to this fact.
For approximately twenty years, female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, ruled the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. With her reign beginning around 1473 BC, Hatshepsut was the fifth ruler of the Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty. She became the first female pharaoh when her husband, Thutmose II died prematurely.
Towering at an impressive 8’ 6”, she is skillfully carved out of red granite. Unfortunately, Kneeling Hatshepsut was damaged but today she has been reconstructed and restored to the best of the conservators’ ability. Just as the name indicates, the massive statue is a kneeling figure. The artist positioned the figure on a large rectangular base with rounded edges. Hatshepsut has her knees pressed to the ground with her backside seated on the heels of her feet. Her hands are extended outward from her torso, resting on her knees with a little round jar in each of her hands. Behind the figure, there is a large vertical rectangular shaped piece that seems to be keeping her back straight. The straightness of her back makes her appear rigid but the slight slope of her stomach and shoulders suggest she is relaxed. Furthermore, Kneeling Hatshepsut is donning a kilt, the Nemes headdress and a ceremonial beard. Spaces are not carved out between Hatshepsut’s arms, legs, and neck. Every piece is connected. Although the quality is not lacking, Hatshepsut’s face does not appear to be very detailed. However, her face gives the impression of stoicism. In its entirety, Kneeling Hatshepsut is a grand figure, invoking a sense of awe in the