Rahotep and Nofret

Rahotep and Nofret

4th Dynasty (Old Kingdom), ca. 2620 BCE

Unknown

painted limestone

120 cm tall

Egypt, Meidum, Mastaba of Rahotep

Egyptian Museum at Cairo, Egypt

Although the lineages of Rahotep and Nofret are disputed, the discovery of their statues in a brick mastaba in Meidum, confirm the sitters’ high rank. It is believed that Rahotep was was the son of Snofru, the founder of the 4th Dynasty, due to his title as “physical son of the king.” However, some scholars believe that Rahotep’s father was actually Huni, the last king of the 3rd Dynasty. It is also argued that the title, “physical son of the king,” was purely honorific due to Rahotep’s rank as a high official; he served in several offices in the civil administration, in priesthood, and in the military during his life. Rahotep was married to Nofret and her title as “known to the king” indicates her status through her marriage to Rahotep.

Description:
The under life-size statues of Rahotep and Nofret depict the couple seated in high-backed chairs with footrests. Rahotep is represented with short black hair and a mustache. He wears a short white kilt and an amulet around his neck. His right arm is held across his bare chest, while his left arm is bent by his side with the fist rested on the knee. Nofret wears a dark, shoulder-length wig decorated with a circlet covered in a flower motif. She is enfolded in a long, white gown and wears an elaborate collar around her neck. Her arms are folded across her chest within the garment. Rahotep is painted a reddish-brown color, while Nofret is shown a lighter color. Both portraits contain lifelike inlaid eyes of crystal and their titles are painted, rather than incised, on the backs of their chairs.

Significance:
The portraits of Rahotep and Nofret contain more personal details than most portraits of the Old Kingdom. Rahotep appears to be frowning slightly and he has a mustache, giving the impression that these statues were intended as idealized portraits. The sitters are also portrayed in a youthful manner, furthering the idealized nature. Additionally, the adornments shown on both figures convey a flexibility that could only be present in non-royal portraiture of the time.The skin tones presented are in line with traditional conventions of Egyptian portraiture; the darker color of Rahotep’s skin is meant to signify strength, while the Nofret’s lighter color suggests a feminine delicateness.

www.ancient-egypt.org/who-is-who/r/rahotep-and-nofret.html

www.egyptorigins.org/rahotepandnofret.htm

Lauren Kershenbaum