Haremhab as a Scribe of the King in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2018

Haremhab as a Scribe of the King
ca. 1336–1323 B.C.


Object Details

Period: New Kingdom

Dynasty: Dynasty 18

Reign: reign of Tutankhamun or Aya

Date: ca. 1336–1323 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt; Said to be from Memphite Region, Memphis (Mit Rahina), Ptah Temple, a hole among palm trees

Medium: Granodiorite

Dimensions: h. 113 cm (44 1/2 in); w. 71 cm (27 15/16 in); d. 55.5 cm (21 7/8 in)

Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. V. Everit Macy, 1923

Accession Number: 23.10.1


Haremhab was a royal scribe and general of the army under Tutankhamun. He continued to serve during the reign of Aya and eventually succeeded Aya as king. This statue was made before Haremhab ascended the throne. By having himself depicted as a scribe, Haremhab declares himself to be among the elite group of literate individuals, thus following a tradition more than a thousand years old of depicting great officials as men of wisdom and learning.

He sits erect, but relaxed, his gaze slightly down. Across his knees he unrolls a papyrus scroll on which he has composed a hymn to the god Thoth, patron of scribes. A shell containing ink lies on his left knee. Over his left shoulder is a strap with a miniature scribe's kit attached to each end. A figure of the god Amun is incised on his forearm, perhaps indicating a tattoo.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544692