Images Of Akhenaten In Ancient Egyptian Art

Images of Akhenaten, such as the statue from the temple at Karnak, depict the start of an artistic revolution where images of royalty are drastically changed. This new style of artwork shows a realistic appearance of people that almost exaggerates their humanly aspects rather than the “perfect form” Egyptians had been creating for centuries.

Differences between earlier Egyptian art showing human form and these forms

Figure paintings and sculptures from the thirteenth century BC were all created to appear generally the same with hardly any distinct features. It was not important to the Egyptians to record exactly what the Pharaoh looked like, but to declare their god-like power through their faultless appearance. The early images of royalty

usually showed them expressionless, sitting or standing, facing forward, fists clenched and with muscular arms and legs. Then, when Akhenaten came to rule, a new grid system was created and figures began looking more like caricatures than structured forms. All Egyptian eras used a system to create precise proportions for their figures, but even though it may have produced a more drastic result, the Amarna method of drawing the human form was not actually that different from previous times. Ancient Egyptian artists used an 18 square grid to create the “perfect” proportions of their figures while the Amarna artists used a 20 square grid, adding two more squares to provide room for a longer face, neck, and torso. Even with the alterations they still showed two-dimensional figures from the side with a frontal view of the eyes and statues still stood facing forward in a strict stance. During this period, Akhenaten is viewed with a large head, sagging features and protruding chin and lips. His body is hourglass shaped, like a woman, having heavy thighs and a well-defined chest. This description of a King is far from what it would have been in earlier Egyptian times, but that is exactly what he wanted.
What was the purpose of all the deformed features? Did they really look like that?
The figures of the Amarna age are over-accentuated versions of a “normal” person and are very far from ideal.

It is unknown why figures were suddenly morphed into these strange alien-looking creatures, but there are several theories: A common assumption is that Akhenaten suffered from a disease called Marfan Syndrome that effected his body’s development, so the artist made everyone from that time look deformed in attempt to cover up the king’s flaws. Also, the artists Thutmose and Bek wrote that their ruler was the one who taught them, so it is assumed that Akhenaten was the one choosing the direction of the strange new style. With Akhenaten being in charge of this, it is thought that his form was used to show Egypt that he is a representation of their new god and that the royal family is divine so only through them can you reach Aten. Although, this theory is hard to prove because not only were the royals portrayed this way, everyone was. Separation of God and the people of Egypt was never as strong as it was during the Amarna period; Therefore, it is another presumption that this was purely just a new abstract style that really began developing prior to Akhenatens rein. This artistic revolution is still being researched and despite mummies found, there is no proof pointing us in one direction or the other, so for now it will remain a

mystery.

Shift in style during Akhenaten’s rein, what is the difference between the first and second?
During the Amarna period, there was a shift in style, probably due to the fact that two different artists were responsible for each, known as Bek and Thutmose.
Bek was in charge of the early Amarna artwork and created the more deformed images of Akhenaten and his family. This artist also began making his family look like duplicates of Akhenaten. Images of him and his family such as ___ show them___.
The second half of the Amarna period was portrayed by the artist Thutmose. Thutmose, unlike Bek, created distinct individuals. You could now tell the difference between Nefertiti, her husband, and their daughters. Faces, especially noticeable in Akhenaten, became softer and subtler than before and scenes of the royal family became more personal. One well-known limestone carving of this time is titled “Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Three of their Daughters” this piece is an excellent portrayal of what the second period was about. In this artwork, Akhenaten and Nefertiti sit under the rays of Aten playing with their three daughters; a private moment like this never would have been depicted in classic Egyptian art. The only thing that seemed to stay very abstract through the second half of the Amarna period were the images of Akhenaten’s daughters. In the painting “Two of Akhenten’s Daughters” These girls were shown naked with long and swollen skulls, but again it is unknown if these were real life interpretations or made up. Works before and after the shift are easily differentiated and both have their own interesting characteristics that make the Amarna period unique.