Artwork
Head of Queen Aahmes Nefertari: copy of a painted low relief in the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir al-Bahri
Head of Queen Aahmes Nefertari: copy of a painted low relief in the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir al-Bahri is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Howard Carter. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour painting is a reproduction of a painted low relief from the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir al-Bahri, created by Howard Carter in 1896 as part of Édouard Naville's expedition.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the head of Queen Aahmes Nefertari, wife of Thutmose I and mother of Hatshepsut, wearing a distinctive headdress and crown, and is characterized by a serene expression and enigmatic smile.
Technique & Style
Carter's use of watercolour achieves a soft, subtle effect, with nuanced colour gradations that convey a sense of age and wear, capturing the dignity and reverence of the subject.
History & Provenance
The work was originally intended for Naville's publication *The Temple of Deir el Bahari*, and appeared in its third volume in 1898 as Plate LXVII, serving as a detailed record of the temple's visible scenes and inscriptions at the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Howard Carter’s watercolours capture the sun-bleached walls of Deir al-Bahri, copying 3,500-year-old painted reliefs of queens and royal symbols.
