During the Middle Kingdom period in ancient Egypt (2055-1650 BCE), there was a significant change in royal funerary sculpture. The sculptures of this period became more naturalistic and less idealized than those of the Old Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom sculptures depicted the pharaohs with more realistic physical features and expressions, which reflected a shift towards a more humanistic and personal approach to art.
One of the most notable examples of this change in style is the statue of Mentuhotep II, a pharaoh of the 11th Dynasty. The statue shows Mentuhotep II seated with his hands resting on his knees, his facial features are more detailed and individualized than the idealized representations of the Old Kingdom. The statue also shows Mentuhotep II as an aging man, with wrinkles and sagging skin, which was a departure from the youthful and muscular depictions of pharaohs in earlier periods.
Overall, the Middle Kingdom period saw a shift towards a more naturalistic style of royal funerary sculpture, which reflected a greater emphasis on individuality and personal expression in art.