Page 68 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 6 8

The hunting scene from the tomb of Rekhmire departs from the older scheme of depicting
animals in motion on a strictly horizontal baseline register and uses only three wavy lines
for the desert floor, dividing the scene into four registers or blocks of action. The wavy lines
are shown as narrow stripes that are not rigid but in motion. In this format, there are areas

that remain bare, so they are depicted planted with desert plants. This design device makes
it possible to show the animals in different postures. Fleeing or pursuing animals are
depicted in violent motion in a flying gallop; all four feet are raised off the ground.”

Right at the scene there is an Egyptian commentary.

“Rekhmire travels through the desert valleys, glides between the hills and likes to hunt desert
animals.”

“We are not really in the desert, but in the dry savannah around the Nile, which is depicted
in pink. The hunting ground is surrounded by nets hung on poles. The hunters have taken

advantage of the unevenness of the terrain (represented by wavy lines) to set up their
equipment. Next, with the help of their pack, they drive the game into this trap, where the
master only has to shoot his arrows, preferably at the most valuable animals. The hounds

are not forgotten and seem to fly horizontally like the arrows that pierce the animals (see
bs-38461). Due to the lack of space, the animals crowd together and the whole scene gives a
(desired) impression of confusion and panic. The unfortunate victims are ostriches (see bs-
38460), oryx, gazelles, ibexes (see bs-38462, see tb-348), wild bulls, hyenas, hares (see bs-
38463).... The vizier's servants attend to the smaller catches and to the animals they wished

to take alive, which are shown in the upper register of the right-hand section.” (Osirisnet,
Rekhmire, West Wall, Central Representation, Hunting in the Desert) [49].

Rekhmire, tomb TT 100, hunting scene, detail of a hunting dog
pursuing game like an arrow, photo © Osirisnet