Breast from a Statue of Akhenaten
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Object Label
This plump, rounded breast belongs to Akhenaten, during whose reign the artistic tradition, religion, and written language experienced a radical change. For the brief period of his rule, Akhenaten became the divine representative of the god Aten on earth. Aten’s name appears in the deeply incised cartouches on the breast, emphasizing the king’s affinity with him. The feminine forms of the king’s depictions point to his androgynous divine status, rather than his actual appearance.
Fragments of Amarna sculpture demonstrate the reaction to Akhenaten’s radical reforms. Almost immediately following his reign, his successors intentionally smashed most representations of the king and restored the traditional Egyptian religion.
Caption
Breast from a Statue of Akhenaten, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.. Granite, 2 3/8 x 6 5/16 x 7 1/2 in. (6 x 16 x 19 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.580.89. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.580.89_PS2.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Breast from a Statue of Akhenaten
Date
ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.
Dynasty
late Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom, Amarna Period
Geography
Possible place collected: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
Medium
Granite
Classification
Dimensions
2 3/8 x 6 5/16 x 7 1/2 in. (6 x 16 x 19 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
Accession Number
16.580.89
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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