Amarna

also: Amarna art

movement c. 1350-1330 BC Egypt North Africa

Amarna art is the startlingly modern style of the reign of Akhenaten (c. 1353-1336 BC), who moved Egypt's capital to Akhetaten (modern Tell el-Amarna) and upended its religion around the sun disc, the Aten. Within a few decades the Egyptian artistic canon loosened into naturalism and movement: figures stretch and sway, with elongated skulls, heavy-lidded eyes and full lips; relief carving relishes fluid, soft contours in both raised and sunken technique; and royal family scenes show the pharaoh, Nefertiti and their daughters at ease under the Aten's rays. Sculptors such as Thutmose - whose workshop produced the Nefertiti bust - and the royal overseer of works Bak led the workshops producing this new imagery. The style was dismantled after Akhenaten's death, but its naturalism anticipates later developments and its images are among Egypt's most famous.

Facsimile, Amarna, North Palace, papyrus swamp
Facsimile, Amarna, North Palace, papyrus swampCC0 (credit: Nina M. Davies / Norman de Garis Davies) · source

Defining characteristics

  • Elongated skulls, long necks, heavy-lidded almond eyes and full lips
  • Naturalism and movement: swaying poses, softened contours, rounded bellies
  • Intimate, informal scenes of the royal family under the Aten's rays
  • The Aten shown as a sun disc whose rays end in small offering hands
  • Both raised and sunken relief, with deep sunken carving for exterior light

Key figures

  • Akhenaten (r. c. 1353-1336 BC) — Pharaoh who founded the style and the new capital Akhetaten
  • Thutmose (fl. c. 1350 BC) — Court sculptor whose workshop produced the Nefertiti bust
  • Bak (fl. c. 1350 BC) — Royal 'overseer of works' who made Amarna royal statuary

Example works

  • Nefertiti Bust — Workshop of Thutmose (c. 1345 BC)
  • Colossal statue of Akhenaten — Unknown (royal workshop) (c. 1350 BC)

Sources

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