Anubis Weighing the Heart, Tomb of Nakhtamun 1279 BC

This is a facsimile of "Anubis Weighing the Heart" from the Tomb of Nakhtamun, made by Nina de Garis Davies. The scene presents a vivid tableau of the afterlife, dominated by the figure of Anubis. He is rendered in striking detail. The composition uses a vertical scale to emphasize the ritual's significance. Anubis kneels beside a balance, his jackal head and brightly coloured garments immediately drawing the eye. Above, a winged deity spans the scene, rendered in a contrasting palette that uses reds and blues to create a sense of ethereal protection. Davies meticulously recreates the original's linear precision. The lines define each figure and hieroglyph, creating a clear visual language. The use of colour is symbolic; the bright, flat tones reflect the traditional Egyptian artistic conventions, and suggest a world governed by order and meaning. The image, while a copy, invites contemplation on how ancient beliefs about morality and judgment are visually encoded, offering a structured glimpse into the ancient Egyptian worldview.