In Ancient Egypt, humans were drawn and sculpted the same way for thousands of years. During the Amarna Period, this briefly changed. Certain features, such as the neck, arms, and hands, were elongated. Depictions of people became almost caricatures, as the conventional Egyptian style was briefly abandoned in favor of this unusual new art style.
The Wilbour Plaque, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. or slightly later, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The Wilbour Plaque clearly exemplifies the Amarna Period's style, as the skulls of both figures are elongated. Though meant to be used as a guide for sculptors, the Amarna style is evident.
Nefertiti, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Queen Nerfertiti, shown in profile, is shown with a spindly, elongated neck. Her hands are unnaturally long and slender, with especially long fingers.
Relief of Queen Nefertiti Kissing One of Her Daughters, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The children of Nefertiti and Akhenaten were given oddly-shaped heads when depicted in art. In addition, art of the Amarna period was unusual in that it depicted familial scenes such as this.
Relief Depicting Akenhaten and His Daughter Offering to the Aten, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
In exemplary Amarna period fashion, Akhenaten is shown with a curved body, defining his breasts. His daughter's head is elongated. In this scene, they are worshipping Aten.
Relief of Akhenaten as a sphinx, Unknown, 1349 B.C. - 1336 B.C., From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Akhenaten is shown worshipping Aten, the sun god that the Pharoah had deemed as the only god. Aten's rays shine on Akehnaten in straight lines, as his spindly arms and long fingers receive them.
Detail of a Row of Foreigners, Unknown, ca. 1353-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The Amarna period's style of portraiture accentuated certain features, resulting in a caricature. This man's front eye is large enough to cover his forehead, while the lips were also enlarged..
Relief of Men Talking, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The bodies of these two men are curved, instead of ramrod-straight, as was normal for the Egyptian style. In addition, their hands have unusually long fingers.
Eliot Elisofon, 1956-11, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Nerfertiti's bust, shown in profile, is one of the more naturalistic pieces of art from the Amarna period. There are still abstract elements, as her eyelids are well defined and her neck is elongated.
Standing Statuette of a King in a Blue Crown (Probably Akhenaten), Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The king's body has definition, he has curves and defined breasts with wide hips. This differs greatly from the traditional Egyptian style which idealized the physical form and made figures sticklike.
Portrait Inlay of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Unknown, -17, From the collection of: Corning Museum of Glass
Akhenaten is shown with an elongated neck, defined cheekbones, and sculpted lips. High cheekbones were a mark of beauty in the Amarna period, and the elongation of the neck was very common.
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