Statuette of Amenemhat III
Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Amenemhat III, 1859-1814 BC
Graywacke
Musée du Louvre N 464
cat. no. 6

Amenemhat III, the son of Sesostris III, ruled for 45 years. He was a prolific builder and patron of the arts. The later-day Greeks marveled at his works. The historian Herodotus, who visited Egypt around 450 BC, considered the king's pyramid temple -- which he called the Labyrinth -- greater than the pyramids and all the works of Greece put together. Today it is entirely in ruins.

Although this statuette is uninscribed, the facial features of Amenemhat III are unmistakable. The brooding quality is reminiscent of the portraits of his father; however, Amenemhat has a rounder face and fuller, more sensuous lips. The bunched-up muscles at the corners of the mouth and protruding lower jaw create a distinctive expression.