Akhenaten: Art -changes to his royal image over time -artistic innovations and development: representations of the Aten, Akhenaten and the royal family;

Akhenaten: Art

- changes to his royal image over time

- artistic innovations and development: representations of

the Aten, Akhenaten and the royal family; the natural world

Changes to his Royal Image over time

• Brainstorm: How were Pharaoh’s traditionally depicted?


• Initially Akhenaten was depicted traditionally (Temple to Re-Horakhty at Karnak, Figure 5.7 page 202 of Antiquity 2)

Changes to his Royal Image over time• Shown smiting enemies at Karnak (unfinished,

Warrior Pharaoh? Figure 5.8 page 203 of Antiquity 2)

Changes to his Royal Image over time• Change in Pharaoh iconography show in his body and

face in depiction at East Karnak. Similar changes in royal family members.

• Sudden changes evident in tomb of vizier Ramose. Juxtaposed scenes. (Figure 5.9 & 5.10 page 204)

Describe the features of Akhenaten’s appearance that were not traditional.


• Possible Explanations:1. C19th. Lefebvre – Akhenaten was really a

woman. Due to physique and attire in some statutes. Statues now thought to be Nefertiti.

2. 1927. Grafton Smith – Akhenaten suffered a physical disorder. Frohlich’s Syndrome, endocrine disorder: female physical features, sterile & mentally retarded.


3. Recent. Burridge- Marfan’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Elongated physical features. 4. Artistic and Religious Innovations. Akhenaten emphasised Ma’at (truth and integrity) wanted to be depicted as he actually looked or exaggerated appearance to distance himself from his predecessors.

• Amarna physiognomy was exaggerated in early years, softened in the middle years and returned to traditional depictions in the later years.

Artistic Innovations and Developments

• Innovations were not a new innovation but developed over time out of existing techniques.

• Amarna artists gave to their subjects a liveliness and naturalism.

• Could experiment with light, texture, shade and perspective.

Representations of the Aten

• Initially depicted as the falcon headed god Re-Horakhy.

• Later shown not just as the sun disc but as a globe, wearing the uraeus with spreading arms ending in human hands.

Akhenaten and the Royal Family• Shown traditionally at the start of reign. In Karnak

and early Theban tombs (Figure 5.23 page 221 Antiquity 2)

Akhenaten and the Royal Family

• Decorations in temples now showed; - daily life, agriculture, building sites etc. - Nefertiti as a kings (sphinx, smiting enemies)- Nefertiti worshiping the Aten (without

Akhenaten)- Their daughters.


• New extreme styles;- Nefertiti on the same scale as Akhenaten.- Emotions (Figure 5.24 page 222 of Antiquity 2)- Royal Family with exaggerated figures like

Akhenaten.- Three-Dimensional representations (overlapping

elements, not side-by-side)- Showed at various ages (not just ageless and

unchanging)- Shown with spontaneity (doing random everyday

activities)


The Natural World• Found in the royal palace – rich and colourful plant

and animal motifs executed in a flowing and naturalistic manner.

• Marsh scenes, animals waking up in the sun, horses shown front of rather than profile.

• Source 5.11 page 223 of Antiquity 2

Documents

Akhenaten: Art -changes to his royal image over time -artistic innovations and development: representations of the Aten, Akhenaten and the royal family;