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Figured Ostracon with Head of Akhenaten

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Amarna Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Art of the Amarna period is characterized by a distinctive exaggeration and elongation of facial features and limbs. Artists learning the style sketched elements of scenes as well as larger compositions on flakes of limestone or potsherds, known as ostraca. Because sketches were typically discarded soon after they were finished, artists preferred to sketch on the readily available ostraca, rather than on expensive papyrus.

The ostracon displayed here represents Akhenaten and a fist holding a horse’s reigns. Some scholars have interpreted it as a study for a scene of Akhenaten on a chariot. Others see it as a caricature, due to Akhenaten’s exaggerated features.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Place Excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom, Amarna Period
    DIMENSIONS 4 11/16 x 5 5/8 x 1 in. (11.9 x 14.3 x 2.5 cm)  (show scale)
    SIGNATURE L
    ACCESSION NUMBER 36.876
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone trial piece with ink sketch of the head of Akhenaten and to the right a clenched hand. The king wears the elongated crown with royal uraeus. His features include the usual long skull, very full lips and receding forehead. . Condition: A large fragment has been glued in place at the top of the piece. A small chip is missing at the thumb. The upper part of the drawing of the crown is very faint.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Amarna Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Figured Ostracon with Head of Akhenaten, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 11/16 x 5 5/8 x 1 in. (11.9 x 14.3 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 36.876. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.876_SL3.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 36.876_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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