Menna's Daughter Offering to her Parents, Tomb of Menna 1400 BC

Nina de Garis Davies created this watercolor facsimile of a wall painting from the tomb of Menna, an Egyptian scribe and overseer, around 1900. Davies, who was an artist and accomplished copyist, dedicated her career to documenting ancient Egyptian tombs and temples. Here, we see Menna’s daughter, hands raised in an offering gesture, a visual testament to filial piety and familial roles. She is adorned with intricate jewelry and a detailed headdress, reflecting her status and the artistic conventions of ancient Egyptian representation. In contrast to the formality of her pose, the offerings of food and drink speak to the intimate, personal connection between the living and the deceased. The presence of Menna’s daughter underscores the matrilineal aspects of Egyptian society, where women held important roles in maintaining family lineage and religious traditions. Consider how Davies, a woman artist in the early 20th century, engaged with and interpreted the art of ancient Egypt. Her meticulous reproduction invites us to reflect on the cultural values and social structures that shaped both the original artwork and her act of documentation.