Qenamun and His Wife, Tomb of Qenamun

Art Historical Context

This facsimile captures a tender scene from the tomb of Qenamun, a high-ranking official who served during Egypt’s New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (ca. 1390–1352 B.C.). Painted in tempera on paper by Charles K. Wilkinson at a precise 1:1 scale, the work reproduces the original wall painting’s vibrant colors and intimate composition, showing Qenamun seated beside his wife in a gesture of affection. Such domestic portraits were common in Theban tombs, where they expressed the hope for eternal companionship in the afterlife. Wilkinson’s facsimile allows modern viewers to appreciate the refined artistic techniques of the period—delicate line work, harmonious color palettes, and symbolic details—without traveling to the tomb itself. Created as part of the Metropolitan Museum’s early twentieth-century Egyptian Expedition, these copies preserve images that have since faded or been damaged, offering a direct window into the elegance and emotional warmth of ancient Egyptian life. The scene’s inclusion of love poetry motifs underscores the cultural importance of marital bonds and personal devotion, themes celebrated in both art and literature of the time. Through Wilkinson’s careful reproduction, visitors can connect with the universal human experiences depicted more than three thousand years ago.

About the Artist

Charles K. Wilkinson · 1897–1986

Charles K. Wilkinson (1897–1986), born Charles Kyrle Wilkinson in London on October 13, 1897, was the son of Horace W. Wilkinson, a stained-glass window maker, and Frances Adkins. Serving in World War I, he honed his artistic skills at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, where the influential director Henry Tonks shaped the rigorous training of a generation of draughtsmen. In ...