The Amarna Changes

 

House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti 
and Three of their Daughters, c.1350 BCE

When Akhenaten became pharaoh he was the first ruler of Egypt to declare a monotheistic religion. He only ruled for 17 years, but within these years he turned the face of Egyptian art on its head. It is believed that he became so wrapt up in this new religion that he severely neglected his duties as a ruler. His changes to the culture were so extreme and damaging to the empire that his predecessors would attempt to wipe all evidence of his rule from history. (1)

The period of Akhenaten's rule is known as the Amarna Period. Before this period Egyptian art was very stagnant and formulaic. The focus was on permanence as well as performance. The purpose was to exalt the person in the afterlife and would most likely be found in a tomb. The bottom image is of prince Amenherkhepshef, one of Ramses III sons, being introduced to Isis. It is a calculated painting that follows certain guidelines that are repeated throughout ancient Egypt prior to the Amarna Period. The two figures are in profile with the eyes and upper bodies facing the front. The figures appear flat and blocky. The symbolism in the clothing and headdress shed light on who it is we are looking at. The male figures are always depicted darker than females. As you can see, this painting is following a set of rules that will remain in practice until the rise of the Amarna Period and Akhenaten. (2) 

The top image is a house altar depicting Akhenaten and Nefertiti with their children. Here we see a deviation in the subject matter as well as the style. This period marks the first time we see an intimate focus on a Pharaoh and his family. We are also looking at a piece that was made for a house altar rather than for a tomb. The God depicted here is that of Aton, the sun God, but he is not shown in human-like form like the previous eras. He is the disk centered above the figures extending rays over the royal family. The figures are shown markedly different from past paintings in that they are exaggerated, elongated, and more curvilinear. This relief has an air of playfulness that hasn't been touched on before. (3)

It is not clear as to why these artistic changes were made during Akhenaten's rule. Some scholars believe it was his way of exalting himself above the populous while others argue that it may have been a way to relate more positively to the people. I wanted to revisit the Amarna period because I realize my own mistake at thinking the curvilinear forms made the pharaoh appear more natural. These depictions are anything but natural. Honestly, I love looking at this piece and thinking that aliens were involved somehow. 

    Notes

    1.  Joshua J Mark, "Akhenaten," Ancient Art, accessed September 23, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Akhenaten/

    2.  "Ancient Egyptian Art," accessed September 23, 2020, http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/ancient-art/egyptian.htm

    3.  "Akhenaten," Wikipedia, September 23 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten