Wall Painting of geese ("Meidum Geese")

Artefact Details

Gallery number: 32 – Ground Floor

Period: Old Kingdom

Dynasty: Dynasty 4, Reign of Snefru (ca. 2575-2551 BC)

Size: Height: 29 cm, Length: 174 cm

Place of discovery: Meidum, Mastaba of Nefermaat

Material: Paint on plaster

Many tombs from ancient Egypt were plastered and painted. This technique was faster and more economical than relief-carving on stone and high-quality stone was not necessary for the production of high-quality works of art. This particular panel is exceptional in the skill in which it was painted. The scene contains six geese in two groups of three depicted in a garden. The plumage is beautifully rendered. Two different species of geese are accurately represented.
This painting is part of a larger scene in a tomb, the remains of which support the fact that this painting is genuine.