Head of King Mentuhotep II

This head was part of a statue, carved from sandstone, of king Mentuhotep II, the unifier of Egypt, at the end of the so-called First Intermediate Period, at the end of the third millennium BC., and whose name is written on the back supporting pillar. 

The face is painted dark red to render the idea of the skin colour of a male figure, a convention typical of Egyptian figurative art. This sculpture is an extraordinary example of monumentary Egyptian portraiture and probably came from his burial temple in Deir el-Bahari, in West Thebes.

Considered illegitimate in some pharaonic king-lists, Mentuhotep II promoted the construction of numerous architectural works, including temples and chapels, especially in Upper Egypt.

Mentuhotep, like the other sovereigns of his dynasty, effectively governed the country from the city of Thebes, unlike the Kings of 12th Dynasty, who chose Lisht in Lower Egypt as the capital of the kingdom. The founder of 12th Dynasty, Amenemhat, served as a vizier Mentuhotep IV.

The head conveys a sense of calm authority, with distinct facial features that give the king a somewhat serene but powerful presence.

The head of King Mentuhotep II is an important artifact because it showcases the artistic style of the Middle Kingdom, particularly the characteristic shift from earlier, more rigid, and idealized forms toward a greater sense of naturalism. 

The sculptor captured a more realistic, individual likeness, which reflected the evolving artistic techniques and cultural values of the time.

The craftsmanship suggests a high level of skill and is indicative of the technical advancements in Egyptian art during the Middle Kingdom.

Middle Kingdom, 11th Dynasty, ca. 2061-2010 BC. Painted sandstone. Dimensions: height 60 cm; width 19 cm; depth 44 cm. Now in the Museo Gregoriano Egiziano, Vatican. Cat. 22680