Relief of a King, probably Ramesses II
New Kingdom, Dynasty 19, reign of Ramesses II (?), 1279-1213 BC
Painted limestone
Musée du Louvre E 22764
cat. no. 18

Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, left monuments at practically every site in Egypt. This painted relief probably decorated one of the many temples built during his unusually long reign.

In this scene, the king originally faced a god who extended the hieroglyphic signs for life (ankh) and dominion (was) to his nose. The carving in sunk relief is exceptionally fine for Ramesses, who is better known for quantity than for quality, and preserves much of its original paint. The king wears the Blue Crown, which would have extended to a bulbous summit.