Decorated Doorway to North Chapel, Tomb of Puyemre

Art Historical Context

This tempera-on-paper facsimile captures a decorated doorway from the north chapel of the Tomb of Puyemre, a high official who served during Egypt’s New Kingdom, Dynasty 18. Created in 1917 by the renowned Egyptologist Norman de Garis Davies, the work reproduces the original carving and painting at a 1:10 scale, preserving delicate hieroglyphs and architectural details that would otherwise remain accessible only within the tomb itself. Davies’s careful technique allows modern viewers to appreciate the precise lines and vibrant colors of the ancient design. The original doorway, dating to the reign of Thutmose III (ca. 1479–1458 B.C.), formed part of a funerary monument where inscriptions and imagery reflected both ritual significance and personal expression. The presence of motifs associated with love poetry alongside hieroglyphs suggests the integration of emotional and devotional themes within the tomb’s decorative program, highlighting how ancient Egyptians wove daily sentiments into sacred spaces. As a museum object, this facsimile serves as an educational bridge between the Eighteenth Dynasty and the twentieth century. It demonstrates the value of meticulous documentation in preserving cultural heritage while inviting visitors to explore the artistry and beliefs of one of Egypt’s most celebrated periods.

About the Artist

Norman de Garis Davies · 1865–1941

Norman de Garis Davies (1865–1941) was a British Egyptologist and archaeological artist whose meticulous copies of ancient Egyptian tomb paintings constitute one of the most important records of pharaonic art ever made. Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, he originally trained for the ministry before being drawn into Egyptology through his involvement with the Egypt Exploration Fund in the 1890...