Artwork
Hounds from Nubia, Tomb of Rekhmire
Hounds from Nubia, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The wall painting entitled *Hounds from Nubia* forms part of the decorative scheme in the tomb of the 18th‑dynasty official Rekhmire, dating to roughly 1490 BCE. Executed in a limited palette of red‑brown and black on a light, weathered background, the scene shows three dogs in motion. The work is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents three Nubian hounds appearing to pursue a small animal, likely a hare or rabbit, though the prey is only faintly suggested. In Egyptian funerary art, hunting scenes often symbolized vitality and the provision of food for the deceased in the afterlife, while the inclusion of Nubian dogs may reflect the prestige of foreign breeds.
Technique & Style
Rendered with bold, linear strokes, the dogs are depicted in a stylised, angular manner rather than naturalistic anatomy. The background is minimally detailed, showing faint outlines of hills or structures, allowing the figures to stand out. The use of red‑brown pigment on a faded plaster surface gives the scene a muted, antiquated appearance.
History & Provenance
The painting was documented in the early to mid‑20th century by Egyptologists Nina M. Davies and her husband Norman de Garis Davies, who specialized in recording tomb art. Their careful copies and photographs helped preserve the image’s details before modern conservation. The panel entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the 20th century.
Context
Rekhmire’s tomb, located in Thebes, contains a range of decorative scenes that illustrate daily life, religious rites, and elite activities. The hounds panel fits within a broader program that celebrates the tomb owner’s status and his connections to Nubian territories, where such dogs were prized.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Egyptologists Nina M. Davies (6 January 1881 – 21 April 1965) and Norman de Garis Davies (1865–5 November 1941) were a married couple of illustrators and copyists who worked in the early and mid-twentieth century…
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