The fishing and fowling scene in the tomb of Ibi: a means of expression for a provincial ruler

Abstract

This article aims to show how the fishing and fowling scene, which is frequent in Old Kingdom private tombs, is used in the tomb of Ibi as a way to display a specific social and ideological message. Indeed, this illustration presents an unusual emphasis on family members. A discussion on parietal conventions and a direct comparison with the fishing and fowling scene in Mereruka’s tomb, inscribed in a different cultural landscape, highlights the capacity of the changing details of the scene to work as a means of expression. Between Memphite tradition and provincial adaptations, the composition and the visual aspects given to the painting of Ibi are a strategy to express specific values and to point out the local identity of the owner.

Keywords

• deir el-gebrawi
• sixth dynasty
• fishing and fowling
• parietal decoration
• provincial tombs
• expression of identity