peashooter85:thatlittleegyptologist:egypt-museum:Carpenter at workRelief fragment showing a carpente
peashooter85:thatlittleegyptologist:egypt-museum:Carpenter at workRelief fragment showing a carpenter squatting on scaffolding and working on a wooden object with his adze. Contrary to custom he is shown disheveled and unshaven. New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1292-1189 BC. Now in the Staatlich Museum, Berlin.Contrary to a couple of comments on this post, the description is more or less correct. In Ancient Egyptian art decorum is is the norm to display yourself at your absolute idealised best. For the Egyptians that means; cleanest, finest clothes, completely shaven, hair either under a wig or presented in its neatest style, and usually in absolutely peak physical fitness. What’s different about this image is that it presents this man as he was. Dishevelled is perhaps the wrong word here, but compared to the idealised presentation the Egyptians are known for, this is “dishevelled” on an artistic decorum level, especially for the Egyptians. I can see why it might seem judgemental without proper context, but it’s a fairly accurate description. Reminds of how in the 16th century European nobles had idealized portraits painted, but Oliver Cromwell wanted his done “warts and all”. -- source link