The Mystery Image Explained

First off the Ancient Egyptian civilization has fascinated me since I was a young child. I can proudly claim to have more books on this era of history than our local library, books authored by such specialists as Massy, Shaw or Redford. I will first identify and provide some information on the image in question. The bust in question is that of Queen Tiye of Egypt often referred to as the Cat Goddess. Queen Tiye was the mother of Akhenaten and Amenhotep IV. She was eventually to become the grandmother of one of ancient Egypt's most popular and most known pharaohs, King Tut.
Queen Tiye was distinctive when compared to previous pharaoh wives for she was not raised of royal blood. Evidence appears to indicate that perhaps her parents held some significant position within the court of Tuthmosis IV but nobility was not in her blood line. On her paternal side we find Yuya who held an important position as Lieutenant in charge of Chariots and his official designation was Master of the Horse. Her mother was assigned the responsibility as Superintendent of the Harem. Since both of her parents had been buried within the Valley of the Kings it is obvious that they were held as possessing some value and importance in the Egyptian pharaohs eyes.
During his second year of rule, Amenhotep III made Tiye his "Great Royal Wife". To be considered as the "Great Royal Wife" was a designation generally reserved for the pharaohs most important and honored spouse. Tiye ultimately produced six children for the pharaoh, two of which were males, Tuthmose V and Amenhotep IV.
During the 38 years of Amenhotep III's rule, Tiye proved to be extremely influential in the politics and foreign affairs of ancient Egypt. As her various sons took control of the country she too continued onward offering her skills as an experienced mediator and foreign diplomat.
When I first viewed the bust in question I immediately assumed it to be of North African origination. With the combination of geometrical design and its straight forward view, it was obviously from the 18th dynasty of Egypt. One of the topical characteristics of this phase of Egyptian statue artwork was that all aspects of the subject had to be represented from its most characteristic perspective and a review of most busts from that era reveals the same essential composition. Observe the mystery bust of Queen Tiye with that of Queen Nefertiti. Here we see the same solemn pose, eyes peering out at us, and a serious, no-nonsense look.
This mystery statue too was composed using the above stated set of very strict non-personal rules. These requirements were expected from every artist in Egypt who desired to create statues or busts. Here we see a sober looking figure with a round face and as was typical of the royal busts it showed no type of facial expression or emotion. The eyes are peering straight ahead and it gives a serious and somber feeling as you glance at it. In fact, it is almost as if Tiye were looking back at us after her several thousand-year rest. Of interest in this bust is that usually the darker statues were reserved for individuals who held powerful positions such as the pharaohs, therefore it is immediately understood by the darkness of the statue that Tiye held a position of extreme prominence within the society. I recognized the style also from the symmetry displayed by the mystery art. It is characteristic of most Egyptian busts as exhibited within our textbook. Egyptian busts of this nature were never intended to be viewed by others by rather only for the benefit of the dead pharaoh's soul therefore art for the sake of enjoyment was unnecessary.
The artists of those days were expected to obey the rules for producing busts without variation. There was one rule of thumb and it was not acceptable to deviate from it. An artist during that period was not expected to be imaginative in their composition but merely to be mechanical. They were not trying to flatter the queen but merely to preserve her transitory expression. Essentials were the only necessities and most minor details were readily excluded. The artistic statues were lifelike yet remote and enduring.
This New Kingdom style of creating images of the royalty remained unchanged for over a thousand years. Emphasis was usually placed on providing the impression of solidity and impersonality thus the use of durable type materials in their construction. One can readily see the delicacy and the sophistication involved as well as the richness afforded this particular bust. The bust successfully combines the poise granted of a queen with the harmony associated with of a work of art.