Netting Birds, Tomb of Khnumhotep

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Middle Kingdom Egypt *Netting Birds* from the Tomb of Khhotep, a stunning facsimile capturing a lively wall painting from Dynasty 12 (ca. 1897–1878 B.C.). Discovered in the elite tomb at Beni Hasan, scene depicts men skillfully netting birds amid lush riverine settings, accompanied by hieroglyphic inscriptions Such tomb decorations were essential for the afterlife, ensuring the deceased nobleman Khnumhotep's eternal provisions through vivid depictions of daily life and leisure activities like fowling. Rendered in the classic Egyptian style of flat, symbolic figures with profile views and vibrant colors, the original frescoes showcased the era's mastery of tempera-like pigments on plaster. These artworks highlight the Middle Kingdom's artistic revival, blending realism with ritual purpose to celebrate prosperity and harmony with nature. This life-size (1:1 scale) tempera-on-paper facsimile by Nina de Garis Davies, acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1933, preserves the mural's intricate details for modern viewers at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Davies's meticulous watercolor technique has safeguarded these ancient treasures from decay, offering an immersive window into Egypt's cultural reverence for the natural world and the divine order of *ma'at*.

About the Artist

Nina de Garis Davies · 1881–1965

Nina de Garis Davies, born Anna Macpherson Cummings on January 6, 1881, in Salonika, Greece, to English-Scottish parents Cecil J. Cummings and Sarah Macintosh Tannoch, showed early artistic talent as the eldest of three daughters. After her father's death in 1894, the family relocated to Scotland and then London, where she trained at the Slade School of Art. In 1906, at age 25, a holiday trip to E...