Amarna's Article

In an article from the National Geographic Website, "Pharaohs of the Sun" by Rick Gore, the bust of Nefertiti is mentioned, in relation to the debate of whether she actually looked like this or not.

It is interesting to note that Gore comments "But Nefertiti seldom looks the same in any of the numerous portraits of her". Gore also make specific reference to a statue Rolf Krauss (curator) calls the "tired Nefertiti", which he explains is an elderly statue of her in which, her face appears lined and has apparent saggy breasts. Due to the unlikely fact that Nefertiti would have aged this amount during her husbands sort reign.

Therefore, it is doubtful realism is a technique here, especially if theories that this bust acted as a model for other artists. Though it could also be argued that this change to a more realistic art style would have produced works that showed a slow grasp; an argument I used also to account for the colossi.

The Gore also suggests the artistic extremism is due to his attempts "to break down more than a thousand years of artistic tradition, so he instructed his artists to portray the world as it really was". Which doesn't seem like a bad theory, as it is reasonable to assume that the majority of people even in current society find realism a more aesthetic. Thus this would have made the new religion more appealing to the larger society. This would account for the changing art style in sculpture.

As James Allen comments, "Akhenaten probably didn't have the greatest physique by American standards... He had an easy life in the palace". Thus again confirming that Akhenaten wasn't physically deformed, despite my personal opinion that it is a stupid conclusion to make, which ignores other works of the same and second period (there are two distinctive periods that coincide with the change of "head artist" and may account for some of the misconceptions of the art period).

Art in Egypt seems to have been a way for many rulers to try and change their image, Hatshepsut is known for in some sculptures having a beard on to display her power as pharaoh.

But this could be me looking at the Egyptian society and placing my views on it, but i shall continue anyway, if for the criticism :)

The article also talks about the change from rigid form to one that was more fluid and informal; thus putting the Pharaoh in more intimate situations with his family and wife. This (sorry to dispute with Gay Robins after my rant before) is what makes the art different and revolutionary, no other pharaohs were depicted in this venerable situation in the New Kingdom.

Amenhotep III, it is agreed began the 'rebellion', as Akhenaten's father he undoubtedly inspired his son. It isn't completely known what caused the 'rebellion', but it could be the political friction with the priests of Amun who's power almost surpassed that of the Pharaoh's. He began building monuments to Aten, including a funerary temple across the Nile from Thebes WHICH featured two 65 ft (20m) 710 tonne statues. Known as the Colossi of Memnon. "Some scholars argue that Akhenaten and his father ruled together for several years".