Sennefer Garden Plan, Tomb of the Vines
Sennefer Garden
Thebes, Egypt
25°43′14″N 32°36′37″E
c. 1400 BC
The Sennefer Garden is a representation of an Egyptian garden plan symbolizing the perfect harmony between nature and architecture.
The Sennefer Garden is a fresco depicting an Egyptian garden, originally located in a tomb (tomb of the vines) in the Theban necropolis opposite Luxor. The tomb was the burial place of Sennefer, mayor of the city of Thebes during the reign of Amenhotep II of the 18th dynasty (c.1427-1400 BC). He also held the title of Supervisor of the granaries, fields, gardens, and livestock of Amun. The original representation of the garden has now been destroyed, but a faithful copy made in watercolor in 1832 by Ippolito Rosellini (1800-1843), the father of Italian Egyptology, provides a clear representation of the garden.
The representation of Egyptian gardens and villas
The representation of buildings and gardens in Egyptian paintings is in side view. To add as much additional information as possible via this single view, artists assembled different angles, thus breaking down certain elements.
The garden plan is characterized by three main elements: the high square enclosure wall that protects a hidden area in its center; a house hidden from view in the shade of trees, surrounded by ponds and orchards; and a vineyard in the center bordered by rows of trees of various species. The regularity and geometry of the elements reflect a thoughtful combination in the organization of the various elements that make up the garden. The separation of these elements into distinct areas provides insight into the intentions of utility and harmony given to the design. Finally, the proportions highlight the supremacy of the garden over the built elements.
Legend and description of the garden
The square grounds of Sennefer’s garden are bordered by a wall topped with a tiled roof (1). A tree-lined path (2) runs along the outer wall, and a canal (3) provides the only access by boat, reinforcing the feeling of total isolation that pervades the complex. At the front, access is via a large gate (4) and smaller ones to its left (5). The gate leads directly to a small house (6), the door being the only detail on the façade. The artist undoubtedly wanted to suggest that the owner was a very wealthy man, thus emphasizing the beauty of the main entrance. The central path was the main access route from the gate to the main building (7), hidden at the bottom of the garden. Between the gate and the house, occupying the entire central space, were vineyards (8). It consisted of six pergolas, whose structure was supported by columns. The house (7) is shown both in elevation and in section, with probably three identifiable floors. Flower beds bordered the sides (9) and rows of trees surrounded the garden. The upper garden is crisscrossed with straight, symmetrical rows of sycamore trees (10), date palms (11), and doum palms (12).
The rest of the garden displays a similar rigorous symmetry. On each side, the garden has four distinct sections of different sizes, separated by walls. Two of them are probably orchards (13). Two other rows of trees, consisting of the three species, are planted along the side walls and separated by a low wall. Next to the rows of trees are two little open pavilions (14) with flower beds in front. They overlook two of the rectangular ponds bordered by lawns (15). Lotus flowers sway in the water and ducks swim. Two similar ponds, but oriented at 90 degrees, are located closer to the foreground.
