Ostracon: Ramesses II Suckled by a Goddess
Unknown Artist
c. 1279–1213 BCE
Medium
painted limestone
Dimensions
31.2 × 18.2 × 3.3 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Given in honor of James N. Sherwin, Trustee 1957-1971
Accession Number
1987.156
About this artwork
Ostraca (singular, ostracon) are natural limestone flakes, common to the region of Thebes. The ancient Egyptians who lived there, particularly the artisans of the royal tombs, used them extensively as writing or drawing surfaces, both for practice and for instruction. Some are almost finished works of art; others are clearly sketches. Whether passing idle time or practicing their technique, these pieces provide a rare look at an ancient artist at work. This ostracon is decorated with a scene of ...