An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Torso of Amenpayomprobably 200–100 BCE
This magnificent life-sized torso is inscribed for Amenpayom, the great army general of the district of Mendes in the Nile Delta. By the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty (305-30 BC) when this statue was made, the Egyptians could draw on 3,000 years of expertise carving hard stone. Enough remains to show that Amenpayom was represented in the traditional pose for men: left leg striding forward, arms at his sides, and supported by a back pillar. The subtle, masterful treatment of the undulating musculature and meticulous, flawless polish are hallmarks of this period, when Egyptian artists reveled in the natural beauty of the human form.
On the back Amenpayom is depicted again worshiping the gods of Mendes, Harpocrates, Banebjedet, and Hatmehit.
granodiorite
Overall: 96.4 x 32.3 x 28.6 cm (37 15/16 x 12 11/16 x 11 1/4 in.)
Gift of the Hanna Fund
In the serene embrace of time, nestled alongside the winding banks of the Nile, a magnificent creation emerges from the shadows of history. This life-sized torso, carved with unwavering precision, carries within it the essence of a storied past. It is not merely stone; it is the embodiment of a powerful figure—Amenpayom, the esteemed army general of Mendes, a district whose whispers echo through the ages.
As the sun bathes the landscape in a warm golden hue, one can almost feel the presence of Amenpayom, immortalized in a pose that speaks of strength and honor. With his left leg confidently striding forward and arms resting steadfastly at his sides, he stands as a testament to the might of an era. Supported by a back pillar, he exudes a sense of stability, rooted in the ancient soil of Egypt.
By the twilight of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a time spanning from 305 to 30 BC, Egyptian artisans had honed their craft for three millennia. Their hands, skilled and seasoned, danced across the hard stone, wielding chisels like poets crafting verses. The torso reflects their mastery—the undulating musculature rendered with a gentle touch, each curve and line meticulously polished to perfection. This was a period when artists reveled in the sheer beauty of the human form, celebrating every sinew and contour as a piece of nature’s art.
As we gaze upon this remarkable figure, we can almost hear the echoes of the past—the clanging of swords, the rallies of troops, and the reverberating pulse of a civilization thriving under the expansive skies of the Nile Delta. Here, in this statue of Amenpayom, we glimpse not just the artistry of a time long gone but also the powerful stories woven into the very fabric of human history.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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