[EGYPT 29417] ’Tree goddess in Sennedjem's tomb at Luxor.'

[EGYPT 29417] ’Tree goddess in Sennedjem's tomb at Luxor.' A mural in the tomb of Sennedjem at Luxor portrays the tree goddess Nut appearing from a sycamore fig tree. Kneeling before her are the deceased Sennedjem and his wife Ineferti. With her left hand the goddess is presenting several offerings on a tray: an elongated bread, two round breads and flowers. Her right hand is pouring water from a pitcher. The Egyptians believed that the goddess would emerge from a sycamore when their ba-souls (usually in bird form) rested in the tree's shade and would give them nourishment and water. Sennedjem was a carpenter and possibly an architect, who lived during the 19th dynasty in the tombmaker's village of Deir el Medina on the Westbank at Luxor. His tomb (TT 1) can be found in the hillside cemetery near the foundations of the village. Photo Paul Smit and Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29333] ’Guests at funeral banquet in Ramose's tomb at Luxor.’ Guests at the funeral banquet of Ramose adorn the wall left of the entrance to his tomb. Depicted are Neby and Apuya, the parents of Ramose. The scene is carved with very fine detail into limestone and left uncoloured except for the eyes of the figures. Ramose was an 18th dynasty 'Governor of the Town' (of Thebes) and Vizier during the transition of the reigns of Amenhotep III and Echnaton. His tomb (TT 55) is located in the Sheikh Abd el Qurnah Necropolis on the Westbank at Luxor and is one of the socalled "Tombs of the Nobles". It is uncertain whether he was ever buried in this tomb or that he followed Echnaton to his new capital near Amarna and was buried there. Photo Mick Palarczyk and Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11064] 'Woman looking up at Ino and Melicertes, Palace Gardens, Versailles.' The Palace Gardens of Versailles contain 372 sculptures. You can find "Ino and Melicertes" near the Apollo Fountain. It dates from 1712 and is sculpted by Philippe Granier. The lady enjoying the sculpture is dressed in white because she participated in the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), which is organized on Bastille Day, the 14th of July. That day thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. After the meal, many spread out over the gardens. Photo Paul Smit.

[RUSSIA.GOLDENRING 26.172] ‘Eating from the Tree of Knowledge.’ Coaxed by a snake Adam and Eve take apples from the Tree of Knowledge. The paradise they are living in is a brilliantly white space with fountain like trees overarched by a huge heavenly eyebrow. The scene was created by unknown 17th century artists in the southern vestibule of Tutayev’s Resurrection Cathedral. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29383] 'Offerings for Nefertem and Maat in Roy's tomb at Luxor.' A mural detail in the tomb of Roy shows (on the left) a man and woman presenting a table with offerings to two gods in a shrine. The couple are Amenemipet and his wife Muty and their relation to Roy is unclear. They are asking for entry into the domain of the gods, which will be granted to them since the door of the shrine is open. The gods welcoming them are Nefertem (top) and Maat (below). Their wigs are dark blue to imitate the lapis-lazzuli, of which the hair of gods is supposed to be made. On the right the (same?) couple is standing in worship for another shrine (not in picture). Roy was an 18th dynasty royal scribe during the reign of Horemheb. His tomb (TT 255) can be found in the Necropolis of Dra Abu el-Naga on the Westbank at Luxor. It is one of the socalled "Tombs of the Nobles". Photo Mick Palarczyk and Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11109] 'Ino and Melicertes, Palace Gardens, Versailles.' The Palace Gardens of Versailles contain 372 sculptures. You can find "Ino and Melicertes" near the Apollo Fountain. It dates from 1712 and is sculpted by Philippe Granier. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27428] 'Shiva on Bhaktapur's Hanuman Ghat.' This statue of Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction, holding his divine bow, is located on Bhaktapur's Hanuman Ghat. Red powder has been smeared on the sculpture during puja offerings. Photo Paul Smit.

[RUSSIA.GOLDENRING 26.166] ‘Leaving paradise.’ While in the scene on the right Adam is still happily conversing with the animals, the central scene shows God gently handing the clothes Adam and Eve will have to wear in future. The paradise they have to leave is a brilliantly white space with fountain like trees overarched by a huge heavenly eyebrow. The paradise gate awaits them on the left. This gripping visualization of biblical scenes was created by unknown 17th century artists in the southern vestibule of Tutayev’s Resurrection Cathedral. Photo Mick Palarczyk.