Funerary Sculpture of Amenemheb, Mayor of Thebes, with his Wife and Mother

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This remarkable family group is the only surviving monument from the Egyptian New Kingdom era housed in the Hermitage Museum. It showcases the art style of the post-Amarna period, characterized by the successors to Pharaoh Akhenaten or later artists. Carved from a single block of grey granite, three figures sit on a bench, each wearing elaborate wigs on their large heads. The central figure, as revealed by the hieroglyphic inscription on his robe, is "Chief Scribe of the King, his beloved... overseer of the granaries of Amun, late Prince of the City [i.e. Thebes], Amenemheb born of Kalo." He wears traditional attire, including a shirt with broad sleeves and a long apron. To the right of Amenemheb sits his mother, "Singer of Amun, lady of the house, late Kalo," while to the left is his wife, high priestess of the temple of goddess Hathor, "Singer of Amun", "late Taisennefert". The women are embracing Amenemheb's shoulders, a gesture indicating their close relationship. According to tradition, all three figures have identical broad, round, slightly flattened faces. To convey the intricate folds of fine, transparent pleated fabrics, deep engraving was employed, disrupting the unity of the stone surface. This sculptural group is an exemplary representation of Theban sculpture, featuring texts from the Book of the Dead. The tomb is located on the west bank of the Nile River in Thebes, dating back to the Late 14th - early 13rd century BC.