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Crown Prince Khaemwaset

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Khaemwaset, the fourth son of the pharaoh Ramesses II, is known as the first Egyptologist because he studied and restored ancient monuments, including pyramids, built more than a thousand years earlier.

The large size and exquisite detailing of this statue emphasize the prominent position of Khaemwaset. The exclusively royal wave pattern on the belt testifies to his nobility, while the superbly modeled musculature of his legs reveals youthful strength.

The statue originally held an image of a god, probably Ptah, who is mentioned in the fragmentary inscription. The text also provides Khaemwaset’s titles: hereditary prince, king’s son, sem-priest, chief directing artisans.
MEDIUM Granodiorite
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES ca. 1279-1213 B.C.E.
DYNASTY Dynasty 19
PERIOD New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS 28 × 16 × 20 in., 585 lb. (71.1 × 40.6 × 50.8 cm, 265.35kg)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 36.615
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Black granite kneeling figure of Khaemwaset, a son of Ramesses II. Only the lower portion of the figure remains. He is kneeling and holds a table of offerings before him. The usual pillar runs up the back with inscriptions. The pose is a highly formal and conventionalized one common to Egyptian art of various periods. The modelling is firm and crisp giving as a splendid specimen. Condition: The figure is missing from the navel up; the two feet are missing; the remaining surface is considerably chipped and pitted.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Crown Prince Khaemwaset, ca. 1279-1213 B.C.E. Granodiorite, 28 × 16 × 20 in., 585 lb. (71.1 × 40.6 × 50.8 cm, 265.35kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.615. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.615_profile_right_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE profile, right, 36.615_profile_right_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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 <em>Crown Prince Khaemwaset</em>, ca. 1279-1213 B.C.E. Granodiorite, 28 × 16 × 20 in., 585 lb. (71.1 × 40.6 × 50.8 cm, 265.35kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.615. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.615_profile_right_PS2.jpg)