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the tomb of hesy-ra
Page 4 of 9
In this panel, Hesy-ra is portrayed in an active pose. Several panels depict
him this way. For this facet of his life, he chose to have himself shown as having an active
lifestyle. This helps to better understand him in the millennia past. His face appears intelligent
and determined. (West, pg. 201) On the top third of the panel are sculpted several rows of
hieroglyphs. These are precisely carved and are beautiful in their detail. The active stance with
the left foot forward is traditional in Egyptian and can be seen in numerous other works. The
short kilt is part of an active Egyptian’s lifestyle. The shorter kilt allows relatively unrestricted
freedom of movement. The patterning hanging from the back of the garment is a representation
of the protective leather net, which was worn by some. This net helped to guard the wearer’s
clean white robe from becoming soiled. (Wittmer, 3-2-99) His wig is long and stylish, providing
protection from the dust outdoors. The staff he carries in his right hand, a symbol of power and
authority, is known as a Kherep-Scepter. (Saleh, ills. 31). These scepters can be seen in
numerous reliefs, such as the Stela of Inhurnakht and his wife, Hu. (Robins, pg. 82)
Like the traditional macehead scepters used earlier in Egypt, they formed an important, if
much less decorated, part of Egyptian culture. In his left hand, Hesy-ra carries his scribe kit. Even
in his role as an active official, he still fiercely proudly displays his role as a literate, educated
man. While he shows himself in an active stance, he ensures the memory of his role in more
intellectual pursuits.
The traditional pose in which Hesy-ra is shown had been used for ages before his time,
abandoned only in the New Kingdom. (Saleh, ills. 21) The pose is rooted deeply in ancient
Egyptian culture as a method of preserving the deceased in their entirety. There is no overlap of
body parts. A highly precise creation, this style of depicting the human form ensures that the
representation used in the afterlife will be as complete and functional as possible. He is shown in
a youthful state, trim and muscular. The sculptor took great care in making even a body as
routinely styled as this one, beautiful in its own right. Hesy-ra’s legs are muscular and graceful.
The knees are highly realistic. His thin waist leads into a curving, elongated torso. The carving of his face employs smooth and natural curves to
convey an ideal appearance for the afterlife. Even the details of the wig lend to the realism of the
piece.
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