1. changes to his royal image over time
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

2. Changes to his Royal Image over time
Brainstorm: How were Pharaoh’s traditionally depicted?

4. Changes to his Royal Image over time
Initially Akhenaten was depicted traditionally (Temple to Re-Horakhty at Karnak, Figure 5.7 page 202 of Antiquity 2)

5. Changes to his Royal Image over time
Shown smiting enemies at Karnak (unfinished, Warrior Pharaoh? Figure 5.8 page 203 of Antiquity 2)

6. 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)

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

8. Changes to his Royal Image over time
Possible Explanations:
C19th. Lefebvre – Akhenaten was really a woman. Due to physique and attire in some statutes. Statues now thought to be Nefertiti.
1927. Grafton Smith – Akhenaten suffered a physical disorder. Frohlich’s Syndrome, endocrine disorder: female physical features, sterile & mentally retarded.

9. Changes to his Royal Image over time
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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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)

13. 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.

14. Akhenaten and the Royal Family
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)

15. Akhenaten and the Royal Family

16. 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