Formal Anaylsis of Akhenaten and his family's sunken relief art piece

Formal Analysis of Akhenaten and his Family Sunken Relief Sculpture

The choice of color used in this art piece goes very well with what is being expressed here. There is a sun that seems to shine down on all of the individuals in the art piece. The sculptor included Akhenaten and his entire family, which consisted of his wife Queen Nefertiti and their two children. One of the reasons that the color choice of the background was such as great choice is that it compliments the sun that is seen being positioned above them at the top of the art piece. Another way is that the sculptor used lines to emphasize that the sun was shining down on Akhenaten and his family. This gives a sense that the entire art piece is being directly illuminated by both the sun and indirectly by his family which appears to express that their family is full of love and happiness among each individual. This feeling of happiness and love in the art piece goes well with the hue choice here. Because often times happiness and love are associated with bright colors and the golden-yellow limestone definitely expresses this on the art piece.  

Furthermore, the artist used the sunken relief technique. As explained in the text this was a technique used often with the Egyptian art sculptures. However, with this art piece I believe that it gives further emphasis to illuminated object above them shining down. This is because it creates shadows throughout the art piece. There is less emphasis on the background and more on the individuals and symbols that are seen positioned around Akhenaten and his family. There are also uses of line and curved lines that can be seen within this art piece. By using the sunken relief technique the artist doesn’t have to focus much on creating shadows with these lines individually, because there are naturally and initially created with every carved technique that the artist uses to create the images on the art piece.

Moreover, the curved lines used on Nefertiti and her husband Akhenaten’s neck pieces gives a strong sense that they are being influenced by the wind. Also, this use of curvy lines on the neck pieces could give the viewer a sense that Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti are both very fortunate and admired individuals. The artist also gives the neck texture by drawing lines (that appear to have slight curves in them as well) vertically through each neck piece. There also looks as if the artist purposely used deeper incisions within the sun, Akhenaten and on Akhenaten’s wife Nefertiti. By using these heavy incisions it gives the impression that these three objects and individuals are focal points in the art piece. In addition to the deep incisions the placement of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and the sun from a triangle around the children as well. This can be viewed as expressing protection for the children by having the sun, Nefertiti, and Akhenaten placed around them in this manner.

In conclusion this is a very well put together art piece and the choice of color and positioning of the individuals in the art piece helps show that their family was filled with happiness during that time.