Colossal Statue of King Senwosret III
GEM 1709

Colossal Statue of King Senwosret III

In the heart of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, during the 12th Dynasty (circa 1870–1831 BCE), King Senwosret III emerged as one of the most powerful and enigmatic pharaohs of his time. This colossal statue, originally erected at the Great Temple of Amun in Karnak (Thebes), captures a unique and deeply human image of the king—one that departs from the idealized forms typically seen in Egyptian royal art. Unlike earlier pharaohs who were often portrayed in youthful perfection, Senwosret III’s features in this statue are strikingly realistic. His sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, prominent folds beneath the eyes, and furrowed brow convey a sense of age, wisdom, and psychological depth. The downturned mouth and pronounced facial lines reflect a man burdened with the weight of kingship—an artistic expression almost unheard of in earlier Egyptian statuary. Scholars suggest this was a deliberate political statement: a visual embodiment of the king as a tireless protector of Egypt, who bore the stress of leadership and military campaigns for his people. Senwosret III is remembered as a military reformer and an effective centralizer of power. His cam ... Entdecken Sie mehr mit Premium!
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