 Akhenaten sacrificing a duck During the very early years of the Amarna Period, the traditional majestic and ideal forms of the king were replaced with exaggerated, elongated images of the king and Nefertiti, his queen. Controversy continues as to whether Akhenaten's peculiar features as depicted in art reflect actual physical deformities or are part of the expressionistic style of the period. |
 Canopic jar with a lid in the shape of a royal woman's head In the later years of Akhenaten's reign, Amarna art developed a graceful naturalistic style. Intimate affection and tenderness were shown in scenes portraying the king with his wife and daughters. |
 Tutankhamun wearing the blue crown Akhenaten's heir, Tutankhaten ("living image of Aten"), changed his name to Tutankhamun ("living image of Amun") and reestablished the cult of Amun-Re and other gods. However, the sense of the human feeling and affection seen in images of Akhenaten's family lingers on in the earnest and youthful face of the king and in the way the hand of Amun-Re touches the crown with gentle care. |
