Hymn to Aten the Sun-Disc

The illuminated Hymn to Aten the Sun-Disc was completed in Egypt, where she was working for the archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie, making drawings of his finds. The ancient text is attributed to Pharaoh Akhenaten, who worshipped the Aten as the creator of the Universe.

Here, a bold composition and clarity of lighting are combined with delicate, refined painting. The closely observed sail boats and the train of animals reflected in the smooth river surface, summon a recognisable scene of everyday life on the Nile.

Sydney Cockerell - who had a deep interest in calligraphy himself - described his wife's Hymn to Aten as 'a work of genius'.