Preparing Dough, Tomb of Rekhmire 1504 BC

Nina de Garis Davies made this watercolor and graphite facsimile depicting two men preparing dough, copied from the Tomb of Rekhmire. Davies’ work provides invaluable access to ancient Egyptian culture through the careful and detailed replication of tomb paintings. The original mural offers a glimpse into the daily life and labor of ancient Egyptians, reflecting the deep social stratification of the time, where the elite classes were served by the labor of others. Here, the process of preparing dough becomes a narrative of human interaction and the division of labor, highlighting the roles of those who toiled to sustain the society. Although created by a woman, the painting maintains traditional representations of laborers from the time it was made. Yet, it is in Davies’ careful rendering of the subjects that we sense a deep connection to and empathy for the figures represented. In capturing the essence of this ancient scene, Davies invites us to reflect on our own relationships to labor, class, and sustenance.