Seated Statue of Sesostris III
Nag el-Madamud, temple of Mentu, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Sesostris III, 1878-1859 BC
Granodiorite
Musée du Louvre E 12960 = E 14389
cat. no. 5

Sesostris III is renowned for his military campaigns in Nubia. His reign also introduced a new style of portraiture. The king's features are strikingly individual, characterized by deep-set eyes with heavy eyelids, prominent cheek-bones, a wide mouth that turns down at the corners, and huge ears. His expression is sullen and morose. Yet the realism does not extend to the royal physique, which remains ideally youthful and heroic.

The king sits on a low-backed throne and wears traditional regalia: nemes-headdress, uraeus, and shendyt-kilt with tail. In his right hand he holds a handkerchief. Inscribed on his belt is his throne name, Khakaura, and on the front of the throne, his Horus name, Divine of Transformations, and birth name.