Statue of King Senusret III

This statue sculpted of black granite was found in the forecourt of the temple of Mentuhotep II at Deir el-Bahari. It was one of the six statues that Senusret III dedicated to the temple of his ancestor Mentuhotep. This is the first known statue representing a sovereign in the posture of a prayer. 

The king wears the pleated nemes headdress with the cobra on his forehead and a pleated kilt. His hands are represented flat over his kilt while he prays to the gods or carries out a priestly function. His mood is written on his face: here he seems exhausted, and the wrinkles between his eyes both accentuate this and suggest his advanced years. 

Senusret III was an aggressive administrator and a shrewd warrior. Here he is represented with these tired eyes after leading several long campaigns to Nubia and Canaan to restore Egyptian power.

Black granite, from Deir el-Bahari. Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Senusret III, ca. 1878-1839 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. 18.4.22.4