Relief fragment from the tomb of Meketre

Art Historical Context

This delicate limestone relief fragment hails from the tomb of Mre, a prominent official served under pharaohs of Egypt's Middle Kingdom, specifically Dynasty 12 (ca. 1981–1975 B.C.). Discovered in his Theban tomb, which famously yielded intact wooden models of daily life, this piece exemplifies the era's funerary art. Crafted during a time of artistic revival after the chaos of the First Intermediate Period it reflects the Middle Kingdom's emphasis on stability, piety, and the afterlife, where tomb decorations ensured the deceased's eternal well-being. Carved in low relief and vividly painte...