2.5 Middle Kingdom Sculpture

It's Hard Work Being Pharaoh

Fragmentary head of Senusret III, ca. 1860 BCE. Red quartzite; 6.5" high.

What do we see in the portraits of Senusret, a reflection of emotions, real human’s feeling?

-A face that mirrors more of the inner life of its subject and a realism in expression. In the fragment of a head of Senusret III (above), there's a subtle anxiety and weariness ( sự lo lắng mà tinh thần mệt mỏi) described in the furrowed brow, downturned corners of the eys, and slight frown to the mouth. His mood is easily readable and relatably human.

A little bit background of Senusret

By the time of the reign of Senusret III, war with another empire, the Nubians, to the south exhausted and drained Egypt and its ruler during four difffeent campaigns that yielded mixed results.

Head of Senusret III with royal headdress