The statue of Hatshepsut on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a large-scale granite sculpture of the female pharaoh who ruled Egypt in the 15th century BCE. The statue is one of the most iconic works of ancient Egyptian art in the museum’s collection and is located in the Egyptian Art galleries.
The statue depicts Hatshepsut seated on a throne with her left hand resting on her lap and her right hand holding a scepter, a symbol of royal power. She is wearing a traditional Egyptian headdress, a pleated kilt, and a broad collar necklace with falcon heads. The statue is highly detailed, with intricate carvings on the backrest and the sides of the throne, depicting scenes from Hatshepsut’s life and reign.
The statue was discovered in the temple of Deir el-Bahri in Egypt in the early 20th century by a team of archaeologists led by American archeologist and Egyptologist Herbert Winlock. It is believed to have been created during Hatshepsut’s reign and was likely placed in her mortuary temple, which was located nearby.
Ruling from around 1479 to 1458 BC, Hatshepsut was a remarkable figure in ancient Egyptian history. She is remembered for her military campaigns, her building projects, and her promotion of trade with other countries. Her reign was a time of prosperity and stability for Egypt.