Artwork
Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire

Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The original artwork, found within the Tomb of Rekhmire, provides insight into daily life and skilled labor in ancient Egypt.
This painting, titled Metal Working, Tomb of Rekhmire, is a reproduction of an ancient Egyptian tomb scene. It captures a craftsman engaged in the intricate process of shaping metal within a furnace. The original artwork, found within the Tomb of Rekhmire, provides insight into daily life and skilled labor in ancient Egypt. This particular copy was created by Nina M. Davies as part of an extensive project to document and preserve the visual record of these historical sites.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays a lone male figure, seated on a low stool, intently focused on his craft. Dressed in a simple white loincloth with a shaved head, he manipulates a tool to work metal within a glowing furnace. This depiction offers a glimpse into the specialized trades of the New Kingdom, highlighting the precision and concentration required for such labor. It serves as a record of an essential craft within ancient Egyptian society.
Technique & Style
The composition emphasizes the craftsman, drawing the viewer's attention to his focused activity. A warm, earthy background with subtle texture provides a sense of depth and intimacy to the scene. The artist's use of color and careful arrangement creates a quiet, meditative atmosphere, underscoring the man's palpable concentration. This stylistic approach effectively conveys the dedication inherent in the metalworking process.
History & Provenance
This painting is one of many detailed copies produced by Nina M. Davies, an illustrator crucial to the study of ancient Egyptian art in the early to mid-twentieth century. Working alongside her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, she meticulously recorded tomb paintings like those in Rekhmire's tomb. Their joint publications, often credited as N. de Garis Davies, were vital for scholarly research, helping to preserve the visual heritage of these fragile ancient sites for future study.
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…

















