The artifact dates back to 1353-1335 BCE and depicts Amenhotep IV, Nefertiti and three of their daughters. The art epitomizes Akhenaten, the pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt. Amenhotep IV (1379 BC) changed his name to Akhenaten about the fifth year of his reign (Roberts, 187). Most of the early Egyptian art exhibited the pharaoh rather as a detached and an unapproachable figure. This aloofness has been replaced by an unusual togetherness of the royal family members. Amenhotep IV’s reforms, which promoted the sun disk Aten over all other gods of Egypt (Mieroop, 199). The art further portrays the new sun god, Aten shining down on the family. The intimacy displayed by Akhenaton towards his wife Nefertiti and his daughters confirm the edge of pragmatism seen only during the Amarna Period.
The Amarna art was distinguished by the display of movement and activity in the images. The central characters had raised heads with several other overlapping figures in the surrounding. The backdrop was shown remarkably eventful and crowded. The royal families were represented in domestic scenes. The human images were portrayed uniquely, for instance, Akhenaten's image had large hips, prominent breasts and a larger stomach and thighs depicting an effeminate body. This contrasted with the earlier Egyptian art showing men with perfectly chiseled bodies. Faces were exclusively incorporated in profile. The design of hands and feet was given importance by crafting them long and slender and precisely detailed to show nails. Figures displayed both the feet and differed from the traditional style of showing either two left or two right feet.
The art further depicts the artistic innovations introduced by Amenhotep IV. He was responsible for changing Egypt from polytheistic to monotheistic. He changed the human depiction from idealistic to realistic. He initiated the religious revolution and replaced the state god Amun-Re with Aten (the sun god). Akhenetan practiced bureaucracy and established himself as the god and king of Egypt.
Works Cited
Mieroop, Marc Van De. A History of Ancient Egypt. John Wiley & Sons. (2011). Print.
Roberts, Peter, Excel HSC Ancient History: book 2, revised. Pascal Press (2006). Print.
