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Primary sourceSculpturecirca 1479-1458 BC (statue); photographed 2009

Statue of Queen Hatshepsut (Maatkare)

circa 1479-1458 BC (statue); photographed 2009

A museum statue of Hatshepsut seated and shown with the nemes headcloth and the throne name Maatkare, at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden.

This statue, carved during her reign, shows Hatshepsut as pharaoh under her throne name Maatkare.

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Photograph of a pink-and-grey granite statue of a kneeling figure with a striped nemes headcloth and a pleated collar, shown from a three-quarter side view against a dark grey background.
Statue of Queen Hatshepsut (Maatkare), circa 1479-1458 BC. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden. Photo by Rob Koopman, 2009.

About this source

What it is

This is a photograph, taken in 2009, of a stone statue held at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden. It shows Hatshepsut seated, wearing a striped nemes headcloth and a pleated collar, identified by her throne name Maatkare.

Why it matters

Hatshepsut ruled Egypt as pharaoh and had herself shown with the traditional symbols of kingship, including the nemes headcloth usually worn by male rulers. Statues like this reveal how she presented her authority during her own reign.

Look closer

  • Why might Hatshepsut have chosen to be shown with symbols usually used for male pharaohs?
  • What does the posture and clothing of the statue tell you about how rulers wanted to be remembered?
  • What is missing from a stone statue that a written record might tell us about her reign?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hatshepsut on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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View of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a tiered stone building with long colonnades and ramps set against towering tan limestone cliffs under a clear blue sky. Small figures and a low shelter are visible in the foreground.Artifact

Primary source

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Senenmut and/or Hapuseneb (attributed) · c. 1479–1458 BCE

Photograph of a carved sandstone relief panel at Karnak. Columns of hieroglyphs divide the panel. On the left, a figure in a tall crown strides with one arm raised. On the right, a standing figure in a kilt faces left. Blue sky and a palm tree appear at the edge.Photograph

Secondary source

Hatshepsut Dancing Before Min, Karnak Relief

Carole Reeves · 1989

Painted relief on a temple wall showing men carrying a tree in a basket with a pole, between stylized incense trees and a palm, in orange, red and cream colors, with hieroglyphs above and a wave-pattern band below.Sculpture

Primary source

Punt Expedition Reliefs

Royal workshops of Hatshepsut · c. 1470 BCE

Photograph of a dark grey stone sculpture of a head, mounted on a red rectangular pedestal against a white background. The head has a tall, smooth-topped headdress, carved eyes, nose and mouth, and a worn surface. Catalogue label MM 11423 appears at lower right.Sculpture

Primary source

Sculpture Head Probably of Hatshepsut

Photograph of a seated limestone statue of a figure wearing a royal headcloth with a pleated nemes and a false beard-less face, hands resting on the lap, seated on a block with hieroglyphic inscriptions on its side.Sculpture

Primary source

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

c. 1466 BCE

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