The Statue of the Official Mitry

Unknown

ca. 2381–2323 B.C. probably · Acacia, gesso, paint · Egyptian Art

Mitry (previously read as "Merti") was a high official and provincial governor. Eleven exceptionally large wooden statues were found in the serdab (statue chamber) of his tomb. Five are in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (26.2.2 - 26.2.6); five, including two wooden scribes, are in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo; and one is in the Medlhavsmuseet, Stockholm. Most of these statues represent Merti in various aspects of his life and career, denoted by changes in wigs and garments. Surprisingly, three statues of women were also present, each in a different wig. Here Mitry wears his hair short, his figure is subtly softer and more aged, and he wears a kilt with a projecting front panel.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 2381–2323 B.C. probably

Medium

Acacia, gesso, paint

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1926