Relief of Hatshepsut or Tuthmosis III
Unknown Artist
1479–1425 BCE
Medium
painted limestone
Dimensions
22.8 × 16.6 × 3.8 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
Accession Number
1920.1995
About this artwork
At the death of King Tuthmosis II, a child was proclaimed king, Tuthmosis III. His aunt Hatshepsut was named to serve as his regent; however, she quickly proclaimed herself queen and ruled in the boy's stead for over twenty years. To further assert her power she often had herself portrayed in sculpture as a king with masculine torso and even a beard. She is shown here wearing crowns usually reserved for kings. When Tuthmosis III finally ascended to the throne, he had many of her monuments destro...