The artwork, titled “Ostracon with Sketch of a Harpist,” is attributed to Ancient Egypt and dates back to approximately 664 – 610 BC. It belongs to the Late Period of Egyptian art and falls under the genres of genre painting and sketch study. The artwork is a representation of a harpist drawn in a simple yet expressive manner on a fragment of limestone ostracon.
The artwork features a sketch of a seated harpist, who is portrayed in a crouched position with the harp resting on their lap. Executed in a reddish-brown pigment, the lines are delicate yet precise, capturing the essence of the figure and the instrument with minimal strokes. The harpist’s posture and the instrument’s strings are rendered in a linear style, typical of ancient Egyptian art. The fragment’s weathered texture and unfinished appearance suggest it may have been a preliminary study or practice piece, offering valuable insight into the artistic practices of the time.
