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The king’s bet

The artist Nicolas Poussin shows a season of the year in this painting. Can you guess which one? It’s harvest time. In the fields, peasants are getting ready to collect wheat. It seems to be a hot day. The trees are a dark green. It’s summer, of course!

The king’s head

This is a statue of a prince, and not just any prince! It’s Prince Gudea. About 5,000 years ago, he ruled over the kingdom of Lagash, in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Look at his folded hands: this is a gesture of prayer. Gudea was very religious.

Citizens, take up your arms!

You may have already seen this famous painting before. Do you know the story behind it?

A bowl for a trophy

This golden bowl was a gift from the king of Egypt Thutmose III to the scribe Djehuty to thank him for his service. A royal scribe was a high official who worked for the administration or army of the king. The bowl is decorated with delicate details. Do you see the palmette (a sort of leaf resembling a palm tree) in the middle? And a ring of fish below a row of plants (papyrus, it would seem)?

The Tribulations of a Stone Lady

The Egyptian Expedition

The Venus who Sprang from the Earth