Akhenaton, from the temple of Amen-Re, Karnak, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1353-1335 B.C. Sandstone. Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

The pharaoh Amenhotep IV, who was later known as Akhenaton, is portrayed in this statue. This pharaoh is significant because he caused much religious upheaval when he abandoned the worship of the many Egyptian gods in favor of the sun disk god, Aton. During this changing time, Egyptian art was transformed. This statue, with its unflattering and yet more realistic proportions, was extremely different than sculptures done of pharaohs before Akhenaton. Culturally, anyone of importance was portrayed as proportionally perfect, with rigidity and a commanding presence. The abnormality of this statue has led some to believe it was indicative of an illness or physical deformity, while others believe it was a deliberate decision to follow the religious upheaval and go against the artistic norms of the time. Another theory is that Akhenaton is representing the sexless god, Aton. This change in artistic style is also seen in the relief Akhnaten and Nefertiti with their children, as well as in the woodwork of Tutankhamun and his wife.

Citation:
Gardner, Helen, Fred S. Kleiner, Christin J. Mamiya, and Richard G. Tansey. “Pharaohs and the Afterlife: The Art of Ancient Egypt.” Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003. 69. Print.