Statues of Prince Rahotep and Princess Nofret
Dating to Egypt’s 4th Dynasty (circa 2600 BCE), during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu, the statues of Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret stand out as masterpieces of Old Kingdom sculpture.
Discovered in 1871 by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette at Meidum, in a mastaba near Sneferu’s pyramid, the pair were found astonishingly well-preserved.
Their lifelike appearance—particularly the inlaid eyes and vibrant paint—was so realistic that when workers first opened the tomb and lit the chamber, they were reportedly so frightened they fled, mistaking the statues for living people.
The realism, detail, and color of these seated figures continue to captivate viewers as a testament to early Egyptian artistic brilliance.
