Hey folks! A change of pace this week as we react to images from ancient Egypt, a culture especially known for its visual self-representation. What do these pieces suggest to you about Egyptian culture, particularly in relation to gender?

What image that stood out to me is the one between both Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. In the image you can clearly see that Ankhesenamun has her hand placed on Tutankhamun's left shoulder. It gives me the idea that she was either possibly comforting him and showing some type of affection towards Tutankhamun. Such a small detail like that makes it seem more natural and relatable. The image also makes me think about how gender in ancient Egypt really was. Were royal women just figures who stood in the background silently or were they able to have some influence with the Pharaohs. In the image even though Tutankhamun is Pharaoh, Ankhesenamun is not shown as passive or distant but actually active in the moment when she is interacting with him directly. I feel the artist wanted to show harmony between both King and Queen, which can indicate an ideal partnership of support and closeness. It makes the relationship between Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun feel more real than the usual formal poses we see. I'm curious to know if Egyptian art normally depicts this kind of affection between royalty. Like is it normal, or is this particular moment special?

The Egyptian tomb painting depicts Anubis assisting the dead in a detailed, atmospheric scene symbolizing many things, with Anubis shown as a jackal-headed god presiding over the mummification, stressing his role as the protector of the defunct and guide to the afterlife. The elaborate clothing and position of the figures suggest great reverence and ritual significance, embodying the Egyptian ideas of the afterlife and the importance of proper burial. Gender roles are suggested in that a male deity, Anubis, is actually concerned with the care of the deceased: this fits in with the general male-dominated religious hierarchy of ancient Egypt while also hinting at the importance of both genders in funerary rituals. The artist seems to express divine intervention and sanctity of death, illuminating the spiritual journey and protective role of gods like Anubis in granting safe passage to the afterlife.

The image that stood out the most comes from Bust of Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten. The most striking detail in this artwork is how softly and delicately the artist depicted her skin, giving her a lifelike and smooth appearance. The crown on her head stands out, appearing almost as big as the size of her head. In relation to gender, I believe the artist suggest that women leaders possess traits where it is emphasized that strength and beauty can coexist. Her beauty in the image symbolizes both power and nobleness. I believe the sizing of the crown she wears is meaningful, as it was traditionally reserved for men. I believe the author was trying to indicate a change in leadership where woman had authority, breaking off on traditional norms. I would like to know more about the colors the artist chose to depict the crown. Does the colors on the crown symbolize anything? I also would like to understand more about the eyes of Nefertiti. It seems that only one eye is colored, and the other is not. Does that signify anything? How did society view this new era of leadership? Were women influenced by Nefertiti? Did they view her as an idol or just a woman doing a man’s job?

The first thing that I see in this image is the long neck and the big crown of Nefertiti. This part really catches my eyes. Her face also looks very calm and beautiful, and it makes me look at the image for a long time.

This image makes me think that women in ancient Egypt had some kind of power, or at least the queen did. Nefertiti does not look weak or less than a man. She looks strong and important, like she has a high position, not just a normal wife of the king.

I think the artist wanted to show how special and beautiful she was. The way they made her face and the crown shows respect. It feels like they wanted people to remember her as a powerful and elegant queen.

As an Egyptian, I already learned some things about our history, but I still want to know more about how much power Nefertiti really had. Was she involved in ruling the country beside Akhenaten, or was she more famous for her beauty and image?

I chose the image that shows the throne of Tutankhamun, which shows the pharaoh with his wife, Ankhesenamun. The detail that jumps out to me is that the queen sharing the throne with the king. The bright colors in the image might represent the power and importance of this couple. From this image, I understand that women, especially those from upper-class families, might have the opportunity to take part in important roles. The way the couple is shown close together shows that the queen may have been part of the decision making process.  I believe, the artist was trying to communicate that women were valued at that time, at least in some cases, and that not all women were kept out of public life. I would like to learn more about whether Ankhesenamun, being in a powerful position, made any rules or took actions to give freedom to other women.

The detail that jumps out to me as I look at the "Bust of Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten" is the headpiece she was wearing and jewelry. The Headpiece and jewelry that the pharaoh Nefertiti was the detail i the image that stood out to me the most because it showed an aspect of royalty including the patterns and the symbol on the headpiece. In relation to gender, the image suggest that women were in a position of authority and in a social system. ad how they can have feminine ad masculine feature when it comes to physical attributes. I think the artist was trying to communicate the way women dominance in the sense of authority and power was displayed in ancient Egypt. I would like to find more about the symbolism in the headpieces detail and why is it important to demonstrate.

This bust of Queen Nefertiti reveals how the ancient Egyptians viewed women.

It indicates that beauty was connected with divinity and order. But this is more than beauty; Nefertiti’s blue crown, which would have only been given to male rulers, communicates that she existed in a space of gender fluidity. She is depicted not as a passive queen, a background figure, as was often shown only of women, but as a figure with the same poise and authority as pharaohs were depicted as having. 

This suggests to me that gender was both defined and fluid in ancient Egypt. Every day, women may not have possessed much power, but women of royal birth and status like Nefertiti existed in a space outside gender that could participate in both religious and political life, which disrupts strict gender hierarchy norms. Her bust, it seems, does not merely demonstrate a likeness of a woman; it also demonstrates that femininity could represent strength, order, and leadership in context to the bust itself. The bust demonstrates, without words, that Egyptian culture not only revered male authority but also honored the conception of male divine power through the figure of the woman in the bust. Nefertiti represents, in one representation, both grace and authority, and is a rare and intentional combination of beauty and authority in one representation.

Egyptian Tomb Painting of Anubis Assisting the Dead

The first thing that stands out to me in this image is Anubis, the god with the head of a jackal, bending over a body that looks carefully wrapped for burial. The dark color of Anubis makes him look powerful and serious, while the red and gold colors on the person’s body make the scene look sacred and important. This image makes me think about how the Egyptians saw men and women in their religion. It doesn’t really focus on gender, but since Anubis is a male god helping the dead, it shows that men were often shown as protectors or guides. Still, I think both men and women were seen as needing help from the gods to reach the afterlife.

I think the artist wanted to show that death was not scary, but part of a spiritual journey. The way Anubis gently leans over the body makes it seem like he is protecting and guiding the person to the next world. I would like to learn more about what Egyptians believed happened after someone died, and if there were any female gods who helped women in the same way that Anubis helped people reach the afterlife.

Egypt Nobleman and his wife, Egypt, Old Kingdom.

What really stood out to me was that both figures have the same hairstyle. It makes me think they were important people, maybe from a high class or a respected family. The woman’s arm resting gently on the man’s shoulder shows respect and care. She stands just a step behind him which to me means she supports him but still holds her own place beside him.

This image shows that men and women in Egyptian culture had different roles, but they were both valued. The man looks strong and confident, while the woman shows loyalty and calmness. It seems like both were seen as important parts of family and society.

I think the artist wanted to show unity, love, and respect between the two. The closeness and similar appearance make them look equal in status, maybe showing that both share honor even if their roles are different.

I’d like to know if couples like this were common in Egyptian art. I also wonder if the matching hair meant they belonged to a special group or class.