Where Is Senenmut with Princess Neferure? Museum Location

Q: Who was Senenmut?

Senenmut was the chief steward and architect of Queen Hatshepsut. He designed her famous mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri and served as tutor to Princess Neferure. His exact relationship with the queen remains debated.

Q: What is a block statue?

A block statue shows a figure seated with knees drawn up, creating a cubic form. The smooth surfaces were ideal for inscriptions. They were placed in temples as permanent prayers on behalf of the person depicted.

Q: Who was Hatshepsut?

Hatshepsut was one of ancient Egypt's few female pharaohs, ruling for about 20 years (c. 1479-1458 BC). She launched major building projects and trade expeditions, and her reign was one of Egypt's most prosperous.

This block statue from around 1470 BC shows Senenmut, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful officials, cradling the young Princess Neferure on his lap. Their bodies merge into a compact cubic form, with only Senenmut's face, arms, and the child's head emerging. The simplified geometry is both intimate and monumental.

Senenmut served Queen Hatshepsut as royal steward, architect, and tutor to her daughter Neferure. He designed Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, one of ancient Egypt's most innovative buildings. His relationship with the queen has fueled centuries of speculation: he held more titles and privileges than any other commoner in her court.

Block statues like this originated in the Middle Kingdom and remained popular for over a thousand years. They were placed in temples as eternal prayers to the gods. The intimacy of holding a royal child was an extraordinary privilege, suggesting Senenmut's uniquely close bond with the ruling family.

Senenmut was the chief steward and architect of Queen Hatshepsut. He designed her famous mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri and served as tutor to Princess Neferure. His exact relationship with the queen remains debated.

A block statue shows a figure seated with knees drawn up, creating a cubic form. The smooth surfaces were ideal for inscriptions. They were placed in temples as permanent prayers on behalf of the person depicted.

Hatshepsut was one of ancient Egypt's few female pharaohs, ruling for about 20 years (c. 1479-1458 BC). She launched major building projects and trade expeditions, and her reign was one of Egypt's most prosperous.

Senenmut with Princess Neferure

Details

The Artist

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About Senenmut with Princess Neferure

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