Hunting animals could represent Nebamun’s triumph over the forces of nature as he was reborn. The huge striding figure of Nebamun dominates, forever happy and forever young, surrounded by the rich and varied life of the marsh. There was originally another half of the scene, which showed Nebamun spearing fish.
The huge striding figure of Nebamun dominates, forever happy and forever young, surrounded by the rich and varied life of the marsh. There was originally another half of the scene, which showed Nebamun spearing fish.
This is more than a simple image of recreation. Fertile marshes were seen as a place of rebirth and eroticism. Hunting animals could represent Nebamun’s triumph over the forces of nature as he was reborn. The huge striding figure of Nebamun dominates, forever happy and forever young, surrounded by the rich and varied life of the marsh.
Nebamun is shown hunting birds, in a small boat with his wife Hatshepsut and their young daughter, in the marshes of the Nile. Such scenes had already been traditional parts of tomb-chapel decoration for hundreds of years and show the dead tomb-owner ‘enjoying himself and seeing beauty’, as the hieroglyphic caption here says.
Nebamun's hunting cat catches a bird in its mouth and one in each of its paws. Nebamun snatches a bird out of the air demonstrating his prowess at hunting. Brightly colored papyrus grows on the banks of the river. The Nile is teeming with aquatic life. The colors and shapes of the hieroglyphic inscription echoes those of the hunting scene.
Wall painting on dry plaster, 31 5/8 x 38 5/8″ (83 x 98 centimeters). British Museum, London. Share image... Nebamun was a scribe at the temple at Karnak. His tomb is painted with scenes of leisure and family gatherings. Nebamun strides forward on a boat with his wife as he hunts for birds along the Nile river.
Nebamun strides forward on a boat with his wife as he hunts for birds along the Nile river. Behind Nebamun is his wife Hatshepsut (not the queen with the same name). Sitting under Nebamun is his daughter who is affectionately holding on to her father's leg.
Nebamun is shown hunting birds, in a small boat with his wife Hatshepsut and their young daughter, in the marshes of the Nile.
A tawny cat catches birds among the papyrus stems. Cats were family pets, but he is shown here because a cat could also represent the Sun-god hunting the enemies of light and order. His unusual gilded eye hints at the religious meanings of this scene.
Fertile marshes were seen as a place of rebirth and eroticism. Hunting animals could represent Nebamun’s triumph over the forces of nature as he was reborn. The huge striding figure of Nebamun dominates, forever happy and forever young, sur rounded by the rich and varied life of the marsh.