The Last Judgment of Hunefer (AP Art History) - FAQ

1. What is the Last Judgment of Hunefer?

The Last Judgment of Hunefer is a scene from the Book of the Dead, a collection of spells and rituals designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife. It depicts the deceased scribe Hunefer undergoing the judgment process in the afterlife to determine if he is worthy of entering the realm of Osiris, the god of the afterlife.

2. When was it created?

The Last Judgment of Hunefer was created during the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, around 1275 BCE, during the 19th Dynasty.

3. What materials were used to create the artwork?

It was painted on papyrus, a material made from the papyrus plant that was commonly used in ancient Egypt for writing and illustrations.

4. What is happening in the scene?

The scene depicts three stages of the judgment process:

- Anubis (the jackal-headed god of embalming and the dead) leads Hunefer into the judgment hall.

- Weighing of the heart: Anubis weighs Hunefer's heart against the feather of Ma’at (the goddess of truth and justice) to determine if his soul is pure. If his heart is lighter than the feather, he can enter the afterlife; if heavier, it is devoured by Ammit, a demon with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippo.

- Thoth, the ibis-headed god of writing, records the result. The successful judgment is shown by Hunefer being led by Horus to Osiris, who awaits with his sisters Isis and Nephthys.

5. What is the significance of the feather of Ma’at?

The feather symbolizes truth, justice, and cosmic order. The weighing of Hunefer’s heart against the feather determines whether he has led a virtuous life according to the principles of Ma’at.

6. Who is Hunefer?

Hunefer was a high-ranking scribe and priest during the 19th Dynasty of Egypt. He held several important religious and administrative titles, and the Book of the Dead was created to guide him through the afterlife.

7. What is the purpose of this artwork?

The purpose of the Last Judgment of Hunefer is to illustrate the process of judgment in the afterlife and to ensure that Hunefer would safely reach the afterlife. It served as a religious guide, providing a visual and spiritual roadmap for the deceased.

8. How does this artwork reflect ancient Egyptian beliefs?

This artwork reflects the Egyptians' strong belief in the afterlife and the importance of living a moral life. It also shows the concept of Ma’at, the idea of truth, order, and justice as central to both the physical world and the afterlife. The deities involved (Anubis, Osiris, Thoth, and Ma’at) represent essential aspects of Egyptian religion concerning life after death.

9. Where is the Last Judgment of Hunefer located today?

The Last Judgment of Hunefer is currently housed in the British Museum in London.

10. How does this piece connect to other examples of Egyptian art?

Like many Egyptian works, the Last Judgment of Hunefer is rich in symbolism and detail. The consistent use of registers (horizontal bands) to organize the story, the stylized, rigid figures, and the presence of gods and divine imagery align with other Egyptian funerary art that aimed to guarantee a successful journey to the afterlife.