Panel of Hesy-Ra, Overseer of the Royal Scribes (detail)
Hesy-Ra was a high official during the 3rd Dynasty. He had a large Mastaba at Saqqara from which came 11 engraved wooden panels. Hesy-Ra held important positions, such as Chief of the Royal Scribes, the Greatest of the Tens of Upper Egypt, Chief of Buto, and Chief Dentist.
The six best-preserved panels are now on exhibit in the Egyptian Museum. They show Hesy-Ra in different positions and at various ages. Hieroglyphic inscriptions give his names and titles. In all these scenes, the artist succeeded in showing the fine details of the hieroglyphs. He also rendered the exact facial features of the man at different stages of his life as well as the detailed modeling of his body.
Old Kingdom, 3rd Dynasty, ca. 2686-2613 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 1426
