Queen Nefertiti as a Significant Historical Figure in the Coloring Book

Queen Nefertiti as a Significant Historical Figure in the Coloring Book

The influence and admiration of Ancient Egypt's Queen Nefertiti in the modern world is quite apparent, particularly in children's literature. "A Coloring Book of Queen Nefertiti" is a prime example. This 18-page coloring book includes black-outline illustrations of various aspects of ancient Egyptian history pertaining to Queen Nefertiti. Also incorporated are brief anecdotes pertaining to the pictures, written in simple language appropriate for ten to 13 year olds, though this was probably not the intended target age bracket. The language is probably too complex for younger children, (ironic as the prime age for coloring book use is three to eight years old); however these passages can easily be read to them by a parent, teacher, or older sibling, and hold great educational value for the child and adult alike. Placed prominently on the glossy front cover is an image of Nefertiti's famous bust portrait from a well-known Berlin museum.

The Nefertiti bust portrait, from Ancient Egypt's 18th Dynasty, was created sometime between 1348 and 1336 B.C. and now resides in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Agyptisches Museum. (Stokstad, 120) It was found in the studio of its believed sculptor, Tuthmose, at the then-capital city, Akhetaten. Because bust portraits during this time were a rarity, scholars believe that Tuthmose may have created the bust simply as a model for future sculptures and paintings of Nefertiti. Though it is generally known from ancient depictions of sculptors at work that statues were sometimes created in parts and then assembled, it is believed that this bust was never intended to be part of a full-bodied statue. (Stokstad, 120)

The illustration of the Nefertiti bust on the cover of the coloring book and the actual bust itself are physically similar in many ways, but they also differ significantly. The basic depiction is the same; Nefertiti faces towards the viewer's right side, has the same general facial and dress features, and features the same proportions. The physical similarities end there, however. The actual bust measures twenty inches (51 cm) in height, while the coloring book's depiction is a mere 9.5 inches (24 cm). The true bust, of course, gives us more definition in facial features because of its use of three-dimensional representation. For example, Nefertiti's cheekbone is prominent on the bust, but is completely absent on the coloring book cover. The two representations also differ drastically in color.