Senenmut - Lover? Father figure?

Senenmut - Lover? Father figure?

I am not comfortable with the "lover" tag which is still being used to show the issues we have in explaining Senenmut’s closeness to Hatshepsut. To my knowledge no-one has yet proven that Senenmut was or wasn't "romantically involved" with Hatshepsut.

I will not go into detail here regards the "evidence" for each side of the discussion, the fact it is still being discussed says a lot. Sometimes we find archaeology which may help us with the jigsaw which is Ancient Egypt, other times we wish for such evidence, but do not know where to look.

Without argument, we know for sure that Senenmut was very close to Hatshepsut in his many roles conducted within her reign. One such role was as tutor to Neferure - a position repeatedly shown via his block tutor statues we see in museums around the world.

Was Senenmut considered by Hatshepsut as a father figure? Did the death of her father allow her to one day require another man to fill such a void in her life? If so, can we discount Senenmut?

Quite possibly, if Senenmut was indeed a father figure - someone whose advice was treated as a necessity - this may have led to the many benefits and titles awarded to Senenmut during his time in the employ of Hatshepsut. His own "words" in his Deir el Bahri tomb have been translated with romantic background meaning. Perhaps the relationship between these two human beings was mutual - a father/ daughter love, which would not have overstepped the barriers of Ancient Egyptian society.

In today's society, if a father, step-father, guardian says to their young ones "You are the most important person in my life, I love you with my heart and my sole. All i do so is for you and all that i am is because of you" these words will be taken in one way. A loving dedication, romantic and loving without ever overstepping the mark.

I wonder (without evidence) whether this particular angle is worth any time.Does anyone have any personal views on this subject which they would like to share?

Regards,

Stuart

Statue of Senenmut and Neferure - Field Museum, Chicago Photos

Most of us are familiar with the block and seated (tutor) statues of Senenmut and Neferure. This standing statue of Senenmut holding Neferure (Museum Number 173800) seems to be unique.
 
Made of Diorite, it was gifted to the Field Museum by Stanley Field and Ernest R. Graham in 1925.

The following photographs were kindly provided by Bob Manske and Kmt-Sesh and used with permission.

The different views of the statue allow us to see this statue from more than the usual frontal views we are all used to seeing::

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Bob Manske

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Kmt-Sesh

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Kmt-Sesh

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Kmt-Sesh

Senenmut with Princess Neferure. Diorite. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 173800

by Kmt-Sesh

Regards,
Stuart

Statues of Senenut by Dr. Karl Leser

I recently posted about a Senenmut Statue which is located in a Luxor Storage Magazine. Unable to provide a photo at the time, it has been brought to my attention by Dr. Karl Leser that this item, plus others which i have yet to identify have been listed on one page on his website.

Whilst i will report on the individual locations separately, it is great to have the statuary of Senenmut all in one place and makes further research that much easier.

Please visit Maat-Ka-Ra Hatschepsut, go to Site Map and then Statues of Senenmut. Even the more fragmented statues have been included by Dr. Leser.

With thanks to Dr Leser for pointing this page out to me. This will prove to be a valuable resource to all of us interested in Senenmut's statuary.

Regards,
Stuart

Name- Beads at the British Museum (Hatshepsut & Senenmut)

From Nicholas Reeves:

These have been added to the database, as too the following possible origin:

"Although neither of these beads seems to have been found in situ (110), the two versions of the inscription they carry would perhaps indicate that they, and a number of published parallels (111), had originally been intended for the foundation deposits of the Hathor (p. 388) shrine"

 Even the very small artifacts have information to be gained from them. Foundation deposits can tell when certain elements of a temple were erected, by whom (overseer) and also the commissioner. Fortunately, Hatshepsut left many and these, which are housed in museums all over the world today.

Regards,
Stuart

TT71- Tomb of Senenmut (By Dr.Karl Leser)

TT71- Tomb of Senenmut is discussed in detail on Maat-Ka-Ra-Hatschepsut. A number of pages clearly illustrate the finds in and around the tomb itself and there are a number of excellent quality photographs and diagrams. Excellent descriptions of the features of the tomb itself are given, including what's left of the decoration.

A point worth mentioning is that there are a number of Hatshepsut artifacts which i have yet to report on, which are mentioned in the above linked pages of tomb TT71. Some of these i have looked into at some length and some are relatively new to me. These will be mentioned in the future as seperate posts and will be included (eventually) in a database of objects outside of museum collections, when i get around to it (unlikely to be in 2011 due to other Hatshepsut projects i am working on).

I mentioned a while back that the book "Hatshepsut From Queen to Pharaoh" is my bible. Maat-Ka-Ra is my online Hatshepsut bible. Not only is the site remarkably informative, but Dr. Leser is a very accomodating man, who has done more for my understanding of Hatshepsut than any other single resource.

It is no surprise that i have extensively linked to his site from this blog.

Regards,
Stuart

Hatshepsut Project - Neues Museum, Berlin

Senenmut und Nefrure
Originally uploaded by Hanne7

Here we have a block statue of Senenmut and Neferure from the Neues (New) Museum, Berlin.

This is one of a number of "tutor statues" featuring Senenmut and Neferure. I haven't been able to find similar statues featuring Neferubity- so my assumption so far is that there are none.

Regards,
Stuart

Deir el Bahri, X-rated Graffito - Luxor News

Warning - Graffito contains some explicit scenes.

Not for the youngest of eyes, the article i wish to highlight comes from Jane Akshar from Luxor News. Photographs by Richard Sellicks (see also Rock cut tomb and KV60 photos).

Something a bit different, ancient graffiti. Like graffiti today, the ancient Egyptians were able to use graffito to express political views, tongue- in- cheek thoughts, to express their sense of humour and so on.

The artisans in question here seem to have all of these things in mind. Does the second from last photo depict Hatshepsut and Senenmut? Who knows although the link has been made in the past and i am aware of arguements for both sides. Due to its possible link to Hatshepsut and its location at Deir el Bahri it is certainly something to include in the Hatshepsut Project.

Thanks to Jane and Richard,

Regards,
Stuart

Senenmut and Neferure - British Museum

Statue of Senenmut and Neferura
Originally uploaded by Lenka P

As a father, i am always taken back when i see sculptures like this wonderful example from the British Museum. To me this appears to be be a very loving, protective picture of what appears to be a father and daughter (at a glance). Thutmose II, Neferure's father would object to such a statement. But where are the statues featuring Neferure and Hatshepsut/ Thutmose III?

Neferure (Neferura if you like) is the only (confirmed) child of Hatshepsut that i am aware of. Here, she is shown with (one of) her tutor(s), Senenmut.

Senenmut is the one person who (outside of recognised family members) is depicted the most with Hatshepsut's daughter, Neferura, but not the only person which i will highlight at a later date.

This is one of many such statues showing such an embrace between these two people. What role did a tutor play in Ancient Egypt? Probably a dominant role in the lives of those who were under their tutorship, after the early days of their wet- nurse.

I highlight this photo due to both Senenmut and Neferura being present. Thanks to Lenka P for the original photo.

Regards,
Stuart

Senenmut and Neferure

I am going through a lot of material at the moment, trying to add to this blog. The Hatshepsut related stuff is limited to time. Time is a factor that keeps on popping up like a little gremlin in my head reminding me that i have a family to take care of.

I am going to broaden my horizons, so to speak. I will start to include sites and items concerning Senenmut (Senemut if you prefer)and Neferure. Although these wonderful people of the past will always have a back seat to Hatshepsut, they are a very large part of the Hatshepsut story and this Hatshepsut project. All information on these will be introductory and i will refer you to further reading, or websites which will aid in more informed learning for those who may be interested.

I will not yet move on to Thutmose I,II, III, Ahmose and other major family members of Hatshepsut. These will follow later as i have to pace myself. As i am learning- as- i go i do not want to end up too far over my head.

At this stage i wish there were two of me. That would certainly solve some of the time issues... Please bare with me as i go. There will be times when this blog goes slightly quiet. I promise you that i will be in the background either reading books, excavation reports, watching documentaries and everything else that has helped me get to month 3 of this blog...

Stuart