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Torso of Akhenaten

New Kingdom, Amarna Period
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 121
This torso from a statue of Akhenaten was found in the Sanctuary of the Great Aten Temple or in the dump south of the Sanctuary area of the temple. The heavy breasts and sagging belly of the king are typical of his representation, a feminized body that may suggest his fertile receptiveness to life and divine inspiration from the Aten.

The statue appears to have been standing with its arms held very slightly forward, a realistic pose developed by Amarna artists.However, a small lip of stone at the lower edge suggests the arms actually may have held some icon of the Aten close to the body. Like all images of the king and queen, but not the princesses, the torso is inscribed with pairs of Aten cartouches on its chest. In addition the names of the god appear on the preserved upper arm (and would have appeared also on the missing arm and on both wrists), on the king's belt, and at the top of the backpillar.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Torso of Akhenaten
  • Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Akhenaten
  • Date: ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Amarna (Akhetaten), Great Temple of the Aten, pit outside southern wall, Petrie/Carter excavations, 1891–92
  • Medium: Indurated limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 34 × W. 28 × D. 23 cm, 18.1 kg (13 3/8 × 11 × 9 1/16 in., 40 lb.)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1921
  • Object Number: 21.9.3
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Head of Akhenaten in the blue crown, sign traces at nape of neck, Indurated limestone
Head of Akhenaten in the blue crown, sign traces at nape of neck
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten, Limestone
Trial Piece with Relief of Head of Akhenaten
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Inscribed Element, possibly back pillar with Aten cartouche, Indurated limestone
Inscribed Element, possibly back pillar with Aten cartouche
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Arm at wrist, Aten cartouches, Indurated limestone
Arm at wrist, Aten cartouches
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
Arm at shoulder, Aten cartouches, Indurated limestone
Arm at shoulder, Aten cartouches
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.

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