Skip to main content

The story of a great leader: Discover the ‘Head of a Queen’


Introduction

The ‘Monumental Head of a Ptolemaic Queen’ is one of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s most striking artworks and a significant addition to our collection. The head is almost 70 cm high, and would have been at the top of a colossal statue, either seated or standing; with an overall height of 3.5 - 4.5 m. Learn more of this intriguing sculpture as we uncover its fascinating details through this mini documentary told by Amna Al Zaabi, Curatorial Assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Discover

The sculptor has chosen not to create a stylised face that has been made young and beautiful to flatter the queen. Instead, the face is realistically older and almost masculine, with a stern expression. This emphasises the strength and authority of the queen, making this sculpture an outstanding expression of female power from the Ptolemaic period.

The Ptolemaic dynasty was established in Egypt by Ptolemy I Soter (367–283 BCE), one of Alexander the Great’s generals when he conquered the region. The city of Alexandria, due to its artistic and intellectual dynamism, became the Egyptian capital and a leading centre of Hellenistic culture. This marble portrait would have been created in Alexandria’s renowned school of sculpture.

Originally it was probably covered in gold leaf and decorated with precious and colourful materials. It combines the Greek and Roman artistic tradition of individual, realistic portraits, with the Egyptian artistic tradition of huge monumental statues relating leaders to gods such as Isis – a major goddess from the ancient Egyptian religion.

ملكة من الأسرة البطلمية: كليوباترا السابعة الإسكندرية (؟)، مصر قرابة 305 ق.م.-30 ق.م رخام اللوفر أبوظبي

What did she look like?

As we examine this bust from every angle, we find more clues to its background and what it symbolised. We see telling features such as red and brown pigments suggesting it was possibly covered in gold, and holes to attach earrings in precious metal.

The isiac curls and the headband are those of a deified queen. These attributes were often shared between the Egyptian goddess Isis and the queens of the Ptolemaic era.

On her head would likely have sat a crown made of precious metal, suggested by the pinhole in the top of the head. From these details and more, the historical significance of ‘Monumental Head of a Ptolemaic Queen’ is revealed.

Explore More

HEAD OF A PTOLEMAIC QUEEN: CLEOPATRA VII

Portrait of a queen: Cleopatra VII (?), r. 51- 30 BCE Ptolemaic Dynasty Egypt, Alexandria (?) 305-30 BCE Marble Louvre Abu Dhabi
Explore
Mobile View None For an optimal experience please
rotate your device to portrait mode